Glossary
Alusión
An indirect or passing reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance.
Example:
The alusión to Rocinante, Don Quixote's horse, highlights the poetic voice's sense of freedom and unconventional spirit.
Anáfora
The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines.
Example:
The powerful anáfora of "Tú" at the start of many stanzas emphasizes the direct confrontation between the two selves of Julia de Burgos.
Apóstrofe
A literary device where a speaker directly addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a thing.
Example:
The entire poem functions as an apóstrofe, with the poetic voice directly addressing the public persona of Julia de Burgos.
Binarismo
A literary concept referring to the opposition or contrast between two distinct and often opposing elements or ideas.
Example:
The poem establishes a clear binarismo between the authentic, free self and the constrained, public self, driving the central conflict.
Central Conflict
The primary tension or struggle within the poem, often between opposing forces or ideas.
Example:
In "A Julia de Burgos," the central conflict is between the poet's authentic, free self and her public persona constrained by societal expectations.
El Sistema Patriarcal
A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.
Example:
The poem strongly critiques El Sistema Patriarcal by exposing how it restricts women's freedom and identity, forcing them into submissive roles.
El Titulo
The name given to the poem, which in this case is both a literal address to the author and a symbolic representation of her internal duality.
Example:
El Titulo "A Julia de Burgos" immediately signals the poem's introspective and self-addressing nature, setting the stage for the central conflict.
Feminismo
A movement advocating for social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
Example:
The rise of Feminismo in the 20th century significantly influenced Julia de Burgos's poem, making it a vital text in the movement.
Internal Conflict
A psychological struggle within the mind of a literary character or the poetic voice, often between opposing desires or values.
Example:
The poem vividly portrays the internal conflict Julia de Burgos experienced between her desire for personal freedom and the societal expectations placed upon her.
Julia de Burgos
The author of the poem, a Puerto Rican poet and activist known for her feminist and political views.
Example:
Julia de Burgos used her poetry as a powerful platform to express her personal struggles and advocate for women's rights and independence.
Key Idea
The main message or overarching concept the poem conveys.
Example:
A key idea in the poem is the powerful critique of societal expectations and the masks individuals wear.
La Construcción del Género
The societal and cultural shaping of gender roles and expectations, rather than purely biological determination.
Example:
Julia de Burgos challenges La Construcción del Género by rejecting the submissive roles imposed on women in her society, advocating for a new image of the Puerto Rican woman.
La Dualidad del Ser
The theme exploring the existence of two distinct and often conflicting aspects within an individual's identity.
Example:
La Dualidad del Ser is central to "A Julia de Burgos," as the poem contrasts the poet's inner truth with her outward appearance.
La Introspección
The examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings; self-reflection.
Example:
The poem is an act of deep La Introspección, as Julia de Burgos critically analyzes her own identity and the societal roles she is expected to play.
La Vanguardia
Avant-garde artistic and literary movements of the early 20th century that challenged traditional forms and ideas.
Example:
La Vanguardia encouraged poets to break from conventional structures and express radical social commentary, as seen in Burgos's work.
Prosopopeya
A literary device where inanimate objects or abstract concepts are given human qualities or abilities; personification.
Example:
When Julia says, "A mí me riza el viento / a mí me pinta el sol," she uses prosopopeya to emphasize her freedom and connection to nature.
Repetición
The recurrence of words, phrases, or ideas within a text for emphasis or to create a specific effect.
Example:
The repetición of "Tú" and "yo" throughout the poem underscores the binary opposition between the two aspects of Julia's self.
Rima suelto
A loose or irregular rhyme scheme, meaning there isn't a strict pattern of rhyming words.
Example:
The use of rima suelto allows for a more natural, conversational tone, mimicking the internal dialogue between the poet's two selves.
Siglo XX
The 20th century, a period marked by significant social, political, and artistic upheaval, particularly in Latin America.
Example:
The existential themes and social unrest depicted in the poem are characteristic of literature from the Siglo XX.
Su imagen privada
The authentic, inner self of an individual, often hidden from public view and free from societal constraints.
Example:
The poetic voice represents Julia's su imagen privada, which is free-spirited, rebellious, and connected to nature.
Su imagen pública
The persona or impression an individual presents to society, often conforming to external expectations.
Example:
Julia's su imagen pública is depicted as submissive and constrained by societal norms, a stark contrast to her true self.
Time Period
The historical era in which the poem was written, influencing its themes and context.
Example:
Understanding the Time Period of 1943, during significant social and political upheaval, is crucial for analyzing the poem's themes of identity and societal critique.
Versos alejandrinos
A poetic verse structure where each line contains 12 syllables.
Example:
The consistent rhythm created by versos alejandrinos contributes to the poem's formal yet flowing quality, even in its passionate critique.
Voz poética
The narrative voice or persona adopted by the poet in a poem, distinct from the author's actual self.
Example:
The voz poética in "A Julia de Burgos" represents the poet's inner, authentic self, speaking directly to her public persona.