La mujer indígena del siglo XX: Una mirada al Huasipungo

Abstract

Abstract: This academic essay aims to analyze the role of Indigenous women in Ecuadorian literature specifically in the novel *Huasipungo* from both literary and gender perspectives. The study describes the oppression faced by Indigenous women and its impact during the 20th century; to this end, a qualitative, documentary-based research approach was employed, involving an analysis of the novel alongside a review of recent scholarly articles on *indigenista* literature, feminism, and the status of Indigenous women in Ecuador. The findings reveal that the novel portrays Indigenous women and their representation as symbols of struggle, resistance, and cultural identity. It reflects, in every line, the cruel treatment to which they were subjected under a system driven by exploitation, which stripped them of their basic rights, their voices, and their dignity. Finally, the study concludes that analyzing the symbolism of Indigenous women in literature and in *Huasipungo* serves as a significant starting point for fostering critical reading and examining issues regarding women's rights and equity.