Inconsciente genérico, feminismo y Nubosidad variable de Carmen Martín Gaite

Abstract

In a context of marked tensions between gynocritics and contemporary Spanish women writers, Carmen Martín Gaite’s novel Nubosidad variable (Variable Cloud,1992) stands out as a curious paradox. As is well known, Martín Gaite repeatedly declared not to be a feminist and even scorned women who fought for equality between both sexes. This article argues that Nubosidad variable, however, constitutes one of the best examples of a consciously feminist text. In this novel Martín Gaite applies some of the most prominent paradigms of feminist literary theory, such as the construction of a non-linear and a-chronological narration (Julia Kristeva), the attempt to create a “language of the body” (Helène Cixous), the foregrounding of a mother-daughter bond (Luisa Muraro), as well as the use of female writing as a means of self-discovery (Elaine Showalter).