Gender Roles In Bodega Dreams

In Bodega Dreams, toxic masculinity is embedded throughout Spanish Harlem through the over-sexualization of religion and is further amplified by insecure men. Through a dominant form of masculinity with violence and control, men mask their insecurities by “asserting” their power and superiority over women and even other men. Ernesto Quiñonez's book illustrates life in Spanish Harlem through the eyes of Julio, a man slowly being surrounded by crimes to achieve his ideal future. From Julio and Sapo's belittling of Blanca to the bible's slut-shaming of women who don't fall into obedient roles, the characters of the book internalize a toxic and sexist mindset. Following the perspective of Julio, Bodega Dreams demonstrates that misogyny in society

Sapo comments that “‘if a man can’t smoke a join in his own house, who wears the pants in that fucken place?’ ‘Nah' - it was time to defend myself - 'yo, that bitch does what I want. Blanca has no say'" (Quiñonez, 37). Although Julio tries to oppose the off-handed comments by projecting an appearance of dominance, this action reveals even more which partner “wears the pants” in their relationship. Julio’s insecurities of not being seen as or being able to control and make decisions for himself and Blanca are amplified, leading to him lashing out and throwing insults. It’s important to note that Julio aims these insults at Blanca, who is not present at the time, or the person who insulted Julio’s position in the household. Julio is not only able to freely degrade his wife because she is not able to defend herself but also because he is conversing with Sapo, another machismo that would not bat an eye at a woman being contemned. Additionally, the mention of pants in a relationship or household demonstrates the need for control in Sapo and Julio’s lives, whether they are in a relationship like Julio or if they are projecting their feelings on a relationship they do not have like Sapo. In Bodega Dreams, there are little to no interactions between

In Latino culture, machismo behavior is defined by men that see inferiority in people and expect obedience from them (mostly non-male-bodied individuals). This is illustrated when Blanca invites the pastor and Claudia, a woman from church, to dinner despite Julio’s distaste for it. As a result, Julio snaps at Blanca after her persistent preaching of a church where she is indirectly disrespected and “‘the women are treated as if they were just there to glorify their husbands, their children, and their pastor’” (Quiñonez, 130). Throughout the novel, Blanca is presented as a pious girl, as if she has not changed from the young schoolgirl that Julio fell in love with when he was young. Julio’s comment about the treatment of women in the Pentecostal church shows how religion has manipulated women like Blanca into positions where they are expected to be directed and restrained by others. The inclusion of the pastor in the list of glorified roles shows that religion is held to such a high degree that it should be included on the same level of need as any other family member like a husband or child. Religious followers often have specific symbols that represent their religion in their lives or an object that they hold sacred because it represents their faith in their beliefs. However, the people of the Pentecostal church have placed their representation of faith into the pastor and made