I'm Your Horse in the Night - Response

   Being a very short story, it is very impressive how much substance Luisa Valenzuela is able to fit into "I'm Your Horse in the Night". On my first read, I understood it solely as the tragic story of two lovers, but mulling it over has made me think about ideas of feminism, oppression, and power dynamic. The female narrator seems to long for a more romantic relationship with Beto, while he dismisses her romanticism and likens her to a passive horse. He also calls her "Chiquita" and , further establishing a power dynamic in their relationship. It makes me wonder if Valenzuela is trying to liken this oppressive and somewhat one-sided relationship to the violent climate around them.

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