Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman
by Julie Taylor

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Book Reviews of Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman

Book Review: This is a brilliant book.
Summary: 5 Stars

The author, an anthropologist, brilliantly points out that what people believe about Eva, and the myths they construct around her, often have less to do with what Eva actually did in her real life, but with what people perceive she represented. Often, judgments and interpretations of Evita are meant to reflect well on the one who is doing the judging - whether it be the Peronists, the anti-Peronists, or foreigners.

The author discovers that Argentines have an unusual tendency to keep their national figures "alive." Few other people, says the author, see it as natural that the myths of long-dead leaders, as well as their bodily remains, would play a part in present day politics. Understanding Eva, who she was and what she accomplished, is often made difficult by this very fact - Argentines are fascinated with their own history and often force it into whatever shape they see as most fit. The author points out that the average Argentine is aware that his own version of his country's history may contradict that of his neighbor's.

The author also argues that while Peronists and anti-Peronists often believe they have different value systems, in fact they share many of the same values. Proof of their shared value system is that Evita is often interpreted in terms of her womanhood. The opposition sees Evita as a violation of the Argentine feminine ideal, whereas the Peronists see Evita as the definition of the feminine ideal. In both cases her gender and sexuality are made the forefront of her character and the judgment laid upon it: the opposition insists that Eva once worked as a prostitute and many of them claim so to this day, despite the fact that there is no evidence to support such a claim. Some Peronists suggest that, due to her heavy work schedule toward the end of her life, Evita did not have the time to have sexual relations with her husband. In both evaluations of her character her sexuality, her virginity, is important, and can therefore be seen as a result of the Catholic value system that permeates all Hispanic cultures. Evita is thus judged against the archetype of "Marianismo" (The Virgin Mary, and her accompanying ideals and virtues). The author also argues, as indicated by the book title, that the myths surrounding Evita are not only linked to Argentine ideas of womanhood, but international and cross-cultural ideas of womanhood and the "mysterious" powers often subscribed to them in relation to their ability to give birth, and their alleged potential for "corrupting" influence if not controlled by a man or male-dominated institution (the opposition often complained that her husband, the President, did not keep Evita "in check"). The author further argues that there is evidence that all peoples are likely to subscribe to women spiritual and mystical powers, and that this equation has led to the "saint abroad" - the belief held by many foreigners that Evita's followers saw her as a saint. The most popular example of this "saint abroad" can be found in the musical "Evita," most vividly in the song "Santa Evita" ("Saint Evita").

One of the most fascinating things about this book is the revelation that Evita's followers, the "Descamisados" (Spanish for "the shirtless ones"), generally do not see Evita as a saint, instead they see her in a rather pragmatic light - when asked what Evita meant to them and what she had done, the poor often listed the laws she had advocated and helped to pass, rarely is there mention of supernatural or saintly powers. It appears that it was Evita's opposition and the middle class of Argentina that created the myth that Evita's "gullible" followers saw her as a saint and the possessor of mystical powers; thus the middle class of Argentina created what the author terms a "myth of a myth."

A word of "caution" - this book is not always an easy read. I believe this book is the author's thesis work, and is therefore often full of words that necessitate the aid of a dictionary. Obscure and veiled references and phraseology abound. Often, particularly toward the beginning of the book, the author's paragraphs will consist of one thought repeated several times with different word usage. This book may be something of a struggle for the "lay" reader, myself among them. There are passages in this book that seem as though they are written in another language, perhaps even written with the intention of confusing the reader. But in all, this is a very well written and well-researched book, one of the best examinations available of this fascinating woman (and I have read most of them). Understanding this book is worth the effort for anyone interested in deciphering the myths and meanings behind the myths of the late, great Evita.

Summary of Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman

Historical Books

• Subjects > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical
• History > Americas > Central America
• South America > Argentina
• World
• Social Sciences