#AP Spanish Literature: "Peso ancestral" Study Guide 📚

Welcome! Let's break down Alfonsina Storni's powerful poem, "Peso ancestral," and get you feeling confident for your exam. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for a quick, effective review.

#🎯 Overview: "Peso ancestral"

This poem, written in 1919 by Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni, is a powerful feminist statement. It explores the heavy burden of traditional gender roles and the generational trauma passed down within families. Storni critiques the patriarchal system and its impact on both men and women.

#📖 Summary: The Ancestral Burden

The title itself, "ancestral weight," sets the stage. The poem describes how societal expectations, particularly around masculinity, have silenced men's emotions for generations. The speaker, a woman, feels this burden acutely, recognizing that the suppressed pain of her male ancestors has been passed down to the women in her family. She expresses her desire to break free from this cycle.

• Key Idea: The poem highlights the intergenerational impact of rigid gender roles.
• Central Conflict: The speaker's struggle against the weight of tradition.
• Emotional Core: A yearning for freedom and emotional honesty.

#🤔 Analysis: Diving Deeper

#⏱️ Time Period: El Modernismo

• Context: Early 20th century Argentina, a time of rigid gender roles and societal expectations.

• Modernismo: A literary movement that questioned traditional values and sought social change.

• Feminist Movement: The rise of feminism in Argentina challenged the status quo.

• Impact: Storni's poem reflects this era of social upheaval and the fight for gender equality.

#📝 Author: Alfonsina Storni

• Argentine Poet: Born in 1892, a leading voice in Modernismo.

• Feminist Themes: Her work often explores love, gender inequality, and societal constraints.

• Unconventional Style: Storni broke from traditional poetic forms, reflecting her rebellious spirit.

  

  Image Courtesy of Semana

#🗞️ Storni's Objective

• First-Person Narration: Storni directly addresses the generational trauma passed down through her family.
• Symbolic Mother: The mother represents the generations of women who have perpetuated this cycle.
• Desire for Change: The speaker seeks to break free from the oppressive system.

#🥀 Poetic Structure

• 12 Verses: Divided into 3 stanzas.
• Consistent Endings: Each stanza ends with a word ending in "-o".
• Concise Form: The short structure enhances the poem's emotional impact.

#🤔 Literary Devices

• Repetición: The repetition of "Tu me dijiste" emphasizes the speaker's disillusionment with what she was told about her male relatives.
• Metáfora: The comparison of men to steel ( “Eran de acero”) highlights their forced emotional stoicism.

#🔗 Connections to Key Themes

#💪 El Sistema Patriarcal & La Construcción del Género

• Critique of Masculinity: The poem exposes the damaging effects of toxic masculinity on men.
• Female Perspective: The speaker challenges traditional gender roles from a female perspective.
• Hope for Equality: The final lines express a desire for a more open and equitable world.

#🔍 La Dualidad del Ser & La Introspección

• Internal Conflict: The speaker grapples with the weight of societal expectations.

• Desire for Freedom: The poem reflects a yearning for personal liberation.

• Self-Awareness: The speaker seeks to separate herself from the past and create a new future.

  Understanding the interplay between patriarchal structures and individual introspection is crucial. These themes are central to many works in AP Spanish Literature.

#💡 Final Exam Focus

• Key Themes: Feminism, gender roles, societal expectations, generational trauma, individual vs. society.
• Literary Devices: Metaphor, repetition, symbolism.
• Historical Context: The Modernismo movement and the rise of feminism in Argentina.
• Common Question Types:
  • Analyzing the poem's feminist message.
  • Identifying literary devices and their impact.
  • Connecting the poem to its historical and cultural context.
  • Comparing this poem to other works with similar themes.

#📝 Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Quickly scan the prompts and prioritize questions.
• Common Pitfalls: Avoid summarizing; focus on analysis and interpretation.
• Strategies: Use textual evidence to support your claims.
• Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and trust your preparation. You've got this!

#🧪 Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the main theme of "Peso ancestral"? (A) The beauty of nature (B) The burden of traditional gender roles (C) The importance of family loyalty (D) The joys of motherhood

2. What does the metaphor of men being like “steel” represent in the poem? (A) Their physical strength (B) Their emotional resilience (C) Their inability to express feelings (D) Their dedication to their families

3. Which literary device is most evident in the lines "Tu me dijiste: no lloró mi padre / Tu me dijiste: no lloró mi abuelo"? (A) Metaphor (B) Simile (C) Repetition (D) Personification

Free Response Question (FRQ)

Analyze how Alfonsina Storni uses literary devices and thematic elements in "Peso ancestral" to critique societal expectations and explore the impact of traditional gender roles.

Scoring Rubric

• Thesis (1 point): A clear, concise thesis statement that identifies the poem's critique of societal expectations and exploration of gender roles.
• Analysis of Literary Devices (3 points):
  • Identification and explanation of at least two literary devices (e.g., metaphor, repetition).
  • Explanation of how these devices contribute to the poem's meaning and themes.
• Analysis of Thematic Elements (3 points):
  • Discussion of the poem's thematic elements, such as the burden of tradition, critique of masculinity, and desire for freedom.
  • Explanation of how these elements contribute to the poem's overall message.
• Use of Evidence (2 points):
  • Incorporation of specific textual evidence (quotes) to support your analysis.
  • Explanation of how the evidence supports your claims.
• Clarity and Organization (1 point):
  • Clear, concise writing with a logical flow of ideas.
  • Proper grammar and mechanics.

Example Response

In Alfonsina Storni's "Peso ancestral," the author employs literary devices such as metaphor and repetition to critique the societal expectation of emotional stoicism in men and to explore the burden of traditional gender roles. The repetition of "Tu me dijiste" emphasizes the speaker's disillusionment with the idealized view of her male ancestors. The metaphor of men being like "steel" highlights their forced emotional suppression. The poem's thematic elements, including the weight of tradition and the desire for freedom, underscore the detrimental effects of rigid gender roles. Storni uses these techniques to create a powerful feminist statement that challenges the status quo. The poem’s final lines express a longing for a future where both men and women can express their feelings freely, suggesting a hope for a more equitable society.