Character Analysis of Miss Mijares

Character Analysis of Miss Mijares

• Character Background: Miss Mijares, nearing middle age, dedicated her adult life to caring for her ailing mother, sacrificing personal aspirations.
• Societal Expectations: She faced pressure to conform to societal expectations of women, particularly regarding virginity and physical appearance.
• Physical Appearance and Clothing: Perceived as lacking the "ideal" female physique, she used clothing with ruffles and pastels to create an illusion of curves.
• Internal Conflict: She felt stifled by societal pressures and yearned for love and marriage, yet understood that this desire was likely unattainable, highlighting internal conflict.
• Response to Loss: Upon her mother's death, she felt grief, but also a release from years of sacrifice.
• Personal Growth: Feeling lost and seeking a new path in her life, she reflects a moment of self-discovery. The story suggests an awareness of a shift towards a third "female"—an independent stage that embraces her feelings and desires.

Stages of a Woman's History

• Feminine Stage: Characterized by selfless devotion to familial responsibilities, neglecting personal desires, and a lack of self-assertion. Miss Mijares embodies this stage in her attentive care of her mother and family.
• Feminist Stage: Marked by internal resistance to oppressive societal pressures, characterized by questioning societal expectations that she felt she couldn't fulfill. 
• Female Stage: Represents a stage of self-realization and emotional assertiveness. Miss Mijares's newfound freedom from societal constraints marks this stage. The experience of getting lost and deciding to go a different route is symbolic of this stage. This stage includes acceptance of feelings and assertion of desires.