Women, endurance and representation in “Yo siempre he sido Nela Martinez”

Abstract

The representation of women in Ecuadorian literature and history has been shaped by processes of invisibilization that have limited the recognition of women's contributions to the country’s social, political, and cultural construction. In this context, the work Yo siempre he sido Nela Martínez recovers the memory and experiences of a relevant figure within Ecuador’s political and social processes during the 20th century. However, studies on her trajectory have mainly focused on her historical and political dimension, leaving behind the analysis of female representations and forms of resistance present in her autobiography. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the construction of the rebellious woman in the work based on Simone de Beauvoir’s approaches to the condition of women. The methodology was developed under a qualitative, critical-literary approach through textual analysis of the autobiography and the application of categories related to subordination, resistance, representation, and female identity. The results showed that Nela Martínez constructs a female identity that moves beyond the traditional roles imposed by patriarchal society, positioning her as a historical subject associated with political participation, social transformation, and the defense of marginalized sectors. It is concluded that the work represents the construction of the rebellious woman as a process based on critical awareness, resistance against structures of domination, and collective commitment.