The idea of ​​gender equality in Latin America is a relatively new phenomenon. Until the late 19th century and early 20th century, the time of love in the time of cholera, women were predominantly treated as the inferior sex. Therefore, women were often excluded from participating in public life, like their male counterparts, in areas such as those related to politics, economics and education. Although women of the time did not enjoy the same social freedom as their male counterparts, Gabriel García Márquez in his novel Love in the Time of Cholera did not portray women as oppressed. Rather, Márquez portrays many of his female characters as strong, resourceful, and independent individuals. This is especially evident in the way the novel presents Fermina Daza in her marriage to Dr. Juvenal Urbino as a strong, independent woman, on the same intellectual level as her husband. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Despite not having received the same level of education as her husband, Fermina proves that she is still her husband's intellectual equal by outsmarting his rules. Unlike Fermina, who never finished her studies or obtained a high school diploma, Urbino "had completed advanced studies in medicine and surgery" to the point that "none of his contemporaries seemed as rigorous and learned as him in his science" (Márquez 105 ). . However, Urbino comes to appreciate his wife's abundant domestic knowledge and skills after she becomes "tired of his incomprehension" and "asks him for an unusual birthday present: that he take care of the housework for one day" (Márquez 222) . During his birthday, Urbino proves completely helpless regarding domestic knowledge and skills, so much so that Fermina must resume command of the house before lunch. Regardless of his claims that Fermina would equally struggle to cure the sick, both Urbino and Fermina learn from this experience that each must appreciate the other's unique knowledge and skills. Likewise, after discovering a discrepancy in Urbino's proclamation that "nothing that does not speak will enter [their] house," Fermina ingeniously discovers and then purchases a Paramaribo king parrot, which speaks with a seemingly human voice (Márquez 23 ). Thus Urbino “bends to his wife's ingenuity” and recognizes that she is capable of outwitting him and his rules (Márquez 23). Therefore, by outsmarting Urbino's rules, Fermina demonstrates that, although she lacks the advanced tutelage she received from her husband, she is still her intellectual equal and he should appreciate her as such. Fermina's strong character and decisiveness are most evident in her determination and refusal to let others, especially her husband, influence her choices or make decisions for her. This is clearly seen when he decides to leave and live with his cousin Hildebranda after learning that Urbino is having an affair. Since Urbino “knew very well the strength of his character,” he simply “humbly accepted his decision” (Márquez 235). However, this does not prevent Urbino from trying to persuade Fermina in her decisions, making use above all of the intervention of religious authorities. However, instead of influencing her in favor of Urbino and her ideas, the involvement of religious authority figures in the relationship between Urbino and Fermina makes her even more adamant in her opinions and choices. This is especially evident before their courtship, when Urbino's last resort in courting Fermina "was the mediation of Sister Franca de la Luz, Superiorof the Academy" (Márquez 125). Since Fermina hates her, she becomes indignant and becomes more and more vehement in her refusal to speak to Urbino. Likewise, this happens when Urbino sends the Bishop of Riohacha “on a pastoral visit” to Fermina while lives with Hildebranda to convince her to return home to him (Márquez 236). Rather than give Urbino the satisfaction of giving in to his request, Fermina “refused in amiable but firm manner" when the Bishop asked to listen to her "with the explicit argument that he had nothing to regret" (Márquez 236) she allows herself to be influenced by the Bishop's decision, but leaves with Urbino on his visit only because "it would be happy to leave with him" (Márquez 254). This is also seen during the honeymoon in the fact that, although Fermina wanted to turn on the light in their suite, "she wanted to be the one to do it, without no one ordered her, and she did it her way" (Márquez 158). . Overall, Fermina is a strong character who does not allow others, especially her husband, to persuade her or make decisions for her, instead choosing what she wants or what which is more beneficial for her. Although Fermina Daza depends on her husband like most women of her time, her husband depends just as much if not more on her. This is especially evident after their golden wedding, when both "were not capable of living an instant without the other... and this ability diminished with increasing age" (Márquez 26). However, neither Fermina nor Urbino “could have said whether their mutual dependence was based on love or convenience” (Márquez 26). Urbino's dependence on Fermina is best illustrated by his need for her to care for him in his old age. Since Urbino is ten years older than Fermina, he becomes weaker and weaker as he ages, leaving Fermina the stronger of the pair. At first, Fermina limited herself to assisting her husband in tasks such as washing and dressing for love, but in the last five years of Urbino's life "she had been forced to do it whatever the reason because he could not dress himself" (Márquez 26) . As Urbino's health worsens with increasing age, he becomes increasingly dependent on Fermina for a living. Ultimately Urbino depends on Fermina more than Fermina depends on him. Despite Fermina's apparent dependence on Urbino for stability and companionship, she still has a very independent mindset. Unlike many other women of her time, she is independent in the sense that she does not necessarily rely on her husband for a place to live. This can be seen in the way Fermina "threatened to return to her father's old house, which still belonged to her" during the escalating argument between her and Urbino over whether or not there was soap in the bathroom (Márquez 29). This is also demonstrated by the fact that she leaves and goes to live with her cousin Ildebranda after learning that Urbino is having an affair. However, her independence is most clearly illustrated in the way Fermina continues to live after Urbino's sudden death. Despite the fear of any possible pain associated with death, “what worried Dr. Urbino most about death was the solitary life that Fermina Daza would lead without him” (Márquez 45). However, Urbino's fear is unfounded because "from her first moment of widowhood, it was evident that Fermina Daza was not as defenseless as her husband had feared" (Márquez 46). When Fermina's son suggests that his wife accompany her on her riverboat trip, Fermina says that she is "too old to have anyone to take care of [her]" (Márquez 325). Unlike her husband, Fermina is independent and does not need anyone to take care of her or provide for her. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Il.