"LIBERATING LANGUAGE:A FEMINIST READING OF TWO WORDS BY ISABEL ALLENDE AND THE INTERPLAY OF LANGUAGE, FREEDOM,AND IDENTITY IN PATRIARCHAL STRUCTURES"

Abstract

This study offers a feminist reading of Isabel Allende’s short story Two Words, exploring how language serves as a vehicle for empowerment, resistance, and identity formation within patriarchal structures. The narrative follows Belisa Crepusculario, a marginalized woman who subverts societal limitations through the act of naming and storytelling. This analysis examines how Allende reclaims the traditionally male-dominated power of language and reconfigures it as a tool of female agency. Drawing on feminist literary theory, particularly the works of Hélène Cixous and Luce Irigaray, the paper reveals how Belisa's command of words allows her not only to escape gendered oppression but also to transform the lives of others, notably the Colonel. Her mastery over language becomes symbolic of reclaiming one’s voice and rewriting one’s destiny—a radical act in a world where women are often silenced. The paper argues that Allende's portrayal of Belisa exemplifies the potential of linguistic self-determination as a means of liberation in patriarchal contexts. Furthermore, the story underscores how freedom is intrinsically tied to the power of narrative control, with language functioning as both a means of self-expression and a form of resistance. By decoding the metaphorical and literal implications of “two words,” the analysis foregrounds how femininity, when intertwined with linguistic prowess, challenges existing hierarchies of power. The story ultimately serves as a feminist allegory that interrogates dominant gender ideologies and affirms the transformative capacity of language. This abstract positions Two Words not just as a literary narrative but as a cultural critique that highlights the essential role of language in shaping identity, negotiating power, and reclaiming female autonomy in a patriarchal world.