Eva Perón: The Myths of a Woman

by Julie Taylor

Book Overview

Eva Per n, one of the most powerful women in the world at the time of her death in 1952, rose from humble origins to international renown as First Lady of Argentina and the force behind the throne of her husband Juan Per n. Despite her immense popularity, she was inaccessible to the people of Argentina, and so images were constructed around her to fill that void. According to Julie M. Taylor, these "myths" around Eva Per n reflect Argentine culture...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226791440
• ISBN13: 9780226791449
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

An In-Depth Account of the Many Myths Inspired by the now Mythic Eva Peron.

Julie M Taylor's well-researched book is not a biography but an anthropological study of the many myths surrounding Evita and their origins. It is loaded with a tremendous amount of information pertaining to Eva Peron, Argentine society and its history. At first glance, it is somewhat surprising that such a young woman like Eva Peron would become the victim of so much fanatical hatred and adoration. For those that despise her, she is a harlot, a murderess dictator who crushed anyone who opposed her and got in her way. For those that love her she is a mother, a saint, a revolutionary. What is even more interesting is that these images took on a life of their own. These colorful myths have clouded Eva's true history to such an extent that it has been stated by many that Eva Peron's story has forever left the world of "reality" and entered that of "fantasy". Several of the myths discussed here have made their way into history books and biographies. These accounts have sold this mis-information as fact when in reality it couldn't be further from the truth. Julie Taylor's book explores every one of these myths in detail and gives us an explanation as to why Eva Peron inspired them and why the public chose to believe them. In most instances, Eva's sexuality and beauty had a lot to do with it. In other's, it was Eva's unconventional, non-feminine behavior which isn't surprising since at the time, woman were never seen taking an active role in politics. Eva offended the non-Peronist men of the time because this was one of the first times in their history where a woman was giving orders. The Aristocracy on the other hand was shocked to see a woman of no class, loose morals and with no formal education rise to a position of wealth and fame. In other words, a woman of Eva Duarte's background has no right to achieve that level of power. What I find interesting is the simple fact that had Eva Duarte been born into a privileged class holding a hereditary title or had she been born a man several of these myths would never have been born. This book is highly recommended to those interested in learning more about this strange, complex woman known throughout the world as Evita. She will forever remain an enigma but Julie M Taylor's book gives us a unique glimpse into her tumultuous life by dissecting the numerous myths surrounding her persona shedding some light as to why people react so differently when Eva Peron's name is mentioned. It may also help you better understand this remarkable woman's actions and the erroneous myths her actions aroused. Even if your attitude towards Eva is indifferent, this book may surprise you since its purpose differs from the many other books written about her. It isn't an opinion but a factual analysis about a woman whose life and personality have become mythological. Thanks to JM Taylor's "Eva Peron: The Myths of a Woman", the real woman behind the myth is revealed. She is unmasked as even far more remarkable than her legen

This is a brilliant book.

As the title indicates, this is not so much a straightforward and linear biography of Eva. Rather, this book is an examination of the myths that have sprouted up around Evita ("Evita," meaning "little Eva," was her nickname)in her own country and abroad. 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

Different..Honest..Interesting!

This book on Evita is quite different on the part that it was written by someone who went to that country to study how Eva Peron affected the society around her decades later.She is well rounded in her studies of Evita and the different takes on the different myths that surround this girl from the pampas is very interesting.Don't ask me why I gave it Four stars! I'm a man and I love Eva.But,it seems suitable...Okay? Respects to Julie Taylor..of course!