One thing that struck me almost immediately when reading "Tent of Miracles" was the evidence of sexual freedom throughout the novel. Amado describes the almost Bohemian-like existence of the Bahian population. They were a free-spirited sort who indulged in sexual pleasures when and with whom they desired it. In the words of the major, "Anytime's a good time to entertain the body" (37). This notion of being sexually carefree is a sharp contrast to all I have come to learn about Latin America, a society dominated by the Catholic church.
In most of Latin America the people are deeply pious. Religion (that is Catholicism) is the foundation for Latin American tradition, family structure, gender roles, education, and government. It is customary for women in Latin America to remain virgins until they are married, as it is decreed by their faith. In fact, in many countries it is traditional for the wedding bed to have pure white sheets so that the husband, upon seeing the blood on the sheets after their wedding night, can be sure his wife was a virgin. It is even frowned upon for a young woman to date a man without the presence of her immediate family for the purpose of supervision.
[...] By she of course means being her first sexual partner. The simple fact that she can refer to this as a favor (as though Archanjo had caught her arm when she tripped) expresses the casual feelings these people have toward sex. It is actually quite refreshing to read of a Latin American society in which the people are not thoroughly brainwashed by the foolish ideals imposed by their religion. Sexual freedom is a necessity in the human pursuit of happiness. BIBLIOGRAPHY Tent of Miracles. Jorge Amado. 1971. [...]
[...] “Tent of Miracles”: Sexual Freedom in Bahia One thing that struck me almost immediately when reading “Tent of Miracles” was the evidence of sexual freedom throughout the novel. Amado describes the almost Bohemian-like existence of the Bahian population. They were a free-spirited sort who indulged in sexual pleasures when and with whom they desired it. In the words of the major, “Anytime's a good time to entertain the body” (37). This notion of being sexually carefree is a sharp contrast to all I have come to learn about Latin America, a society dominated by the Catholic church. [...]
[...] He continues: “That was a powerful tool had; it broke in virgins, it seduced married women, it was God's gift to whores---what with one thing and another, and one woman and another, Pedro Archanjo helped populate the world” (44). Amado makes no mention as to the Church's view on such behavior. Of course, the Church promoted (and still promotes) the union of two virgins who will share a bed in sickness and in health, till death do they part. Toward the beginning of the novel, one woman is inquiring as to another woman's past relationship with Pedro Archanjo. She asks, he the first? [...]
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