Abstract
This project intends to analyze the resemblance between the main character in Miguel de Carrion’s La Esfinge (The Sphinx) and the mythological Theban creature the Sphinx, focusing on the duality, riddle, and fate of the Sphinx as primary elements on which Miguel de Carrion based his character. Using a psychological approach and a point-by-point analysis, Miguel de Carrion’s Cuban novel La Esfinge (The Sphinx) was examined as primary source and its main character, Amada Jacobs, was compared with Sophocles’ Sphinx. Amada Jacobs has a dual personality divided between her love for Marical and the dogmas she was raised in. Such duality restricts her from giving herself to Marcial and, consequently, confessing her real feelings. The Sphinx, also split into two beings (a beast/man-eater and a woman/riddle-singer), suffers from this duality and hides the answer to her riddle. After the discovery of both women’s secrets, they end their lives. This resemblance of a Greek myth in a Cuban novel illustrates some insight on the influence of the Classics in Latin America and how they can be used to address contemporary problems such as women rights in a way Carrion tried to write about in the 20th century Cuban society. This project aims at spreading Miguel de Carrion’s novels to any scholar or person interested in the topic.
Research Poster
Research Paper & PowerPoint
Prerecorded Presentation