SOURCE: "Woman's Triumph Over Man in René Marqués's Theater," in Hispania, Vol. 65, No. 2, May, 1982, pp. 187-93.

In the following essay, Feeny examines the portrayal of female superiority in Marqués' drama and several short stories, especially in the context of Puerto Rican social and political subservience.

One particularly interesting and rather neglected aspect of the late René Marqués's writing is the unique concept of woman that pervades much of his work. In examining Marqués's dramas, short stories, novels and essays, a literary achievement covering over three decades, we find the author's portrayal of the female consistently presents her as far more capable and effective than the male. Where the latter fails, woman succeeds. And although she at times may provide encouragement for foundering man, often Marqués's forceful woman ultimately causes him shame and even death.

A number of critics have already noted Marqués's...