Violence, childhood and femininity in Cristina Peri Rossi’s El libro de mis primos

Abstract

This article addresses different themes such as violence, femininity and the ominous to understand the episode of Chapter x in El libro de mis primos by Cristina Peri Rossi. The work is based on Jackson’s concepts about the fantastic question from the ominous concept taken from Freudian theory, although the treatment of the female body from the masculinity that is framed within the children’s game presented from the perspective of the narrator-infant is also analyzed. From there, focus is placed on the violence that is impregnated in children’s play, the patriarchal system that enables it, as well as the ominous and fantastic route that crosses the female body. The latter is developed through the reflection that occurs between the mutilation received by the violated doll and the repercussions on Alicia, Oliverio’s cousin. Rape, mutilation and the ominous thread between children’s play and the consequences on the girl’s body.