A Critical Analysis of Ana Castillo's The Mixquiahuala Letters: Ecofeminism and Gender Based Directions to Sustainability

Abstract

This study critically analyzes the evolution of sustainability from a gender perspective, concentrating on The Mixquiahuala Letters by Ana Castillo. Through examining the intersection between gender roles, cultural identity, and ecofeminism, the study reveals how Castillo's narration challenges patriarchal frameworks and their effects on women and the environment. The study highlights important themes like the symbolic bond between women and nature, opposition to exploitation, and the significant transformations of women sustainability process, with reference to feminist literary criticism and ecofeminist theoretical frameworks. The study shows how traditional gender roles prevent women from making contributions to sustainable development by closely examining how Castillo depicts the struggles of her characters in a patriarchal and bicultural setting. In addition, it emphasizes how feminist viewpoints can support development process for sustainability that incorporate social, cultural, and environmental reformation. By placing Castillo's work within a framework that connects feminist theory and ecological concerns, the study sheds light on how literary narratives can be used as a transportation for promoting gender equity awareness and environmental preservation in sustainability issues, contributing to the widening discussion on sustainability.