Writing the Journey: June 1999

"A Protestant Critique of Catholicism: Fanny Calderon de la Barca's Outsider's View of Insider Religious Practice in 19th Century Mexico"

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Linda Ledford-Miller
University of Scranton
ledfordl1@tiger.uofs.edu

Frances Calderon de la Barca's Life in Mexico during a Residence of Two Years in That Country, based on a series of letters home, was published in 1843 to general acclaim in the U. S. and Britain. Though Calderon describes her travels, details of her daily life and the life of many around her, especially women, and witnesses two small uprisings, the copper monetary crisis, and a change of president, among other momentous events, in this essay we will focus on Calderon's outsider observations of insider religious practice in general, and specifically on her critique of such practices as instances of a desire for social justice for women.

Frances Calderon de la Barca, a confirmed Protestant, was the Scottish-born American wife of Angel Calderon de la Barca (a Catholic), Spain's first envoy to Mexico after it had won its independence from Spain in 1821. Her status as the ambassador's wife allowed her entry to monasteries and convents not usually granted to foreigners or even native women. As a member of high society she was invited to witness many socio-religious events, such as the taking of the veil by several young women. In her descriptions of these events metaphors of death and imprisonment abound. Calderon is clearly opposed to getting the daughters of Mexico to a nunnery. She just as clearly finds their education inadequate and their socialization insufficient. Though she describes the pomp and circumstance of the ceremonies with a journalist's lively eye, she sees no justice for women in the events and influences that lead them to take the veil.

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Linda Ledford-Miller
University of Scranton
ledfordl1@tiger.uofs.edu

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