Resumen de The use of narrative frames in four tales by Emilia Pardo Bazán

Susan Walter

• This paper studies the use of framing devices in Emilia Pardo Bazán's short stories that explore the issue of gender dynamics. In my analysis of the four stories, "Los buenos tiempos," "Afta," "Madre" and "El encaje roto." I show how the use of this structural framing technique allows Pardo Bazán to orchestrate dialogues between the two narrators of each tale that subtly call into question patriarchal social customs and also highlight the important role of the reader in interpreting a story. Ultimately I show how the use of narrative frames in Pardo Bazán's short stories allows the Countess to convey a veiled feminist message while still maintaining a large readership.