The father figure in “La jornada de Pachi Achi”, “La señora Fez” and “No se habló más”

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the father figure in short stories “La Jornada de Pachi Achi” (Josefina Plá), “La señora Fez”, and “No se habló más” (both by Ángeles Mastretta). The research aims to understand fatherhood as a social representation of the male role, investigating how fathers are portrayed in these narratives. In “La Jornada de Pachi Achi”, Pacífico is depicted an authoritarian and distant man who shows no affection for his son and keeps his wife, Melina, and his sister-in-law, Maia, under his control. The narrative exposes the power dynamics within the patriarchal family and the oppression of women. In “La señora Fez”, Señor Fez is a negligent and addicted man whose presence in family life is minimal. After his death, his wife, Domingas, creates an idealized image of him for their children, turning him into a hero despite his absence and irresponsibility. In “No se habló más”, Don Felipe is a wealthy and powerful man who fathers a child out of wedlock but refuses to acknowledge him. His wife, Paz Gutiérrez, takes responsibility for the child, showing empathy and protection, while Don Felipe maintains an authoritarian and indifferent stance. The study concludes that fatherhood in these three narratives is marked by emotional absence, authoritarianism, and a lack of affection. The male characters are portrayed as financial providers but not as caregivers figures, reinforcing the idea of hegemonic masculinity that is detached from the emotional needs of the family.