In Carlos FuentesÆ The Crystal Frontier, the author presents a number of stories all linked in one manner or another to the character of Don Leonardo, a wealthy Mexican businessman who has few qualms about increasing his self-interests at the expense of his less fortunate countrymen. In many ways these stories depict the inequality between Mexicans and Americans, elites and peasants, and men and women. From Mexican servants to wealthy elites and Americans women, women are portrayed in these stories as victims or victimizers. However, their characters are generally the result of male dominance and patriarchy, whether we follow the example of Michelina Laborde or the wealthy Manhattan businesswoman, Audrey. As a means of showing FuentesÆ call for greater human understanding and compassion toward each other, this analysis will explore the portrayal of women in The Crystal Frontier.
In ôA Capital Girl,ö Fuentes shows how the elite have prospered at the expense of the poor Indian. Michelina Laborde is from an aristocratic family, but despite her style and education she is poor. Her familyÆs fallen status mandates the Michelina become a bartering chip in developing their fortunes. She is to be the wife of Don LeonardoÆs effete son. She is forced to marry Don LeonardoÆs son, but she falls for the powerful and wealthy aristocrat and becomes his mistress. She enjoys the prestige and ôpowerö that Don Leonardo provides (Fuentes 1995, 5). Her grandmother is typical of the fallen aristocrat, unable or unwilling to relinquish her position of superiority over the lower classes, even though they are poor. She makes a small fortune selling her collection of dolls and magazines for $50,000, and Dona Laborde remains the ôczarina of nostalgiaö (Fuentes 1995, 7).
Don LeonardoÆs wife is the typical aristocratic elite female. She enjoys her position, is condescending to the lower classes, and she uses her wealth to pursue a li...