Cobwebs or Feminine Sites of Power in Patricia Esteban Erlés’ Short Fiction

Abstract

It is well known that space is one of the key elements in the configuration of Erlesian atmospheres. The author herself has repeatedly expressed her inclination to plot stories whose epicenter gravitates around the spatial as the articulating place of her plots. The existence of an already large group of critical studies that address this issue also testify to its preeminence. Starting from the importance of this core aspect, the present work aims to single out three short fictions by the author, “Ada Neuman” (2008), “Celebración” (2008) and “Azul ruso” (2010), and to investigate a particular aspect within this locative question. Specifically, these three narratives share a good number of characteristics, among which the recreation of three lairs stands out. Towards these spaces, dominated by female protagonists with arachnid qualities, defenseless victims are attracted. The consideration of these locations as sites of feminine power with a singular and sinister nature will occupy the fundamental evaluations of this study.