A review of the sociology text "When Jesus Came, the Corn Mothers Went Away: Marriage, Sexuality, and Power in New Mexico, 1500 - 1846" by Ramon Gutierrez.
Written in 2006; 3,327 words; 1 sources; MLA; $ 95.95
Paper Summary:
The paper reviews the text with emphasis on the gender roles in Pueblo Indian society. The writer explains and describes the tension caused by the other major themes of the book such as the belief in one God by the Franciscan missionaries versus the natives' animistic views and the sexual freedom of the Puebloans compared to the sexual self-denial of the monks. The paper shows how Gutierrez brings the reader to the middle of the nineteenth century in New Mexico. In conclusion, the writer feels that Gutierrez resists the temptation to try to make up for the inequities of past accounts written by others, and instead presents a balanced, objective analysis of a complex and intriguing set of cultural phenomena.
From the Paper:
"With regard to cultural significance, sexual intercourse was considered a powerful force for women in the Pueblo society as well. With none of the inhibitions or restrictions that members of supposedly more advanced cultures struggle with, Puebloans enjoyed a wide range of sexual activity. The women had total power of partner discernment which, when used well, enabled them to control a great deal of the social and political dynamics for the family. Reciprocal gift-giving was a major organizational and social force within the Pueblo society. A woman was obligated to have intercourse with her husband in exchange for the gifts given at the marriage and because he provided for her mother. But she was free to offer her hospitality by having sex with others as well. By so doing, she essentially accumulated guarantees of assistance, service, and possibly even goods from these sexual partners. Though a difficult conceptualization for this reader, it almost seems as though she was ensuring her family's future resources by giving the gift of her body to someone other than her spouse.
"With this complex cultural backdrop in place, enter the Franciscan missionaries--how shocked they must have been! Prior mission efforts may have prepared them for much of what they saw, but individual records still reported repulsion, especially at the apparent nexus between sexuality and the sacred among the Puebloans. The Franciscans order had especially severe ideals regarding self-discipline and sexual self-denial. Surely any pleasure derived from witnessing the "wicked" scenes among the Puebloans occasioned harsh flagellation among the friars."
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