La imagen de la detective y el elemento femenino en La Trilogía del Baztán y La cara norte del corazón de Dolores Redondo

The purpose of this study is to analyze the crime narrative of contemporary Spanish-speaking author Dolores Redondo. It aims to characterize the feminine elements of her fictional world, with emphasis in the Basque mythology, and how they contribute to the creation of the image of the female detective. My objective is to argue that Dolores Redondo – in the four novels here studied -- presents an image of the female detective which is unique (and possibly “influential”) in the context of the lineage of female detectives in the genre of “detective fiction”, as created by Spanish female authors since – one may argue – Emilia Pardo Bazán. Furthermore, based on the unique circumstances surrounding Dolores Redondo’s impact on the literary world and beyond, such as her faithful readership and visibility in pop culture and society – I argue that this creation of Dolores Redondo, this “new” image of the female detective, may have a lasting effect in the field and it may help shape it in the future. As mentioned, I contend that Dolores Redondo’s main contribution to the genre is her main character, inspector Amaia Salazar. In her highly successful trilogy and prequel, titled La trilogía del Baztán y La cara norte del corazón, the Spanish novelist draws on ancient beliefs and the origins of her own culture, reflecting, in her prose, the traditions of Basque-Navarrese mythology. In her fiction, I will attempt to characterize the female character, Amaia. While doing this, I plan to show that this character is portrayed in such a way that it subverts the formulas and parameters of the genre -- particularly in what concerns the image of the female detective -- while enriching the world of Spanish crime novels. Through the analysis of the mentioned books, this work showcases the history and evolution of the protagonist, who seems to develop the characteristics of the myth of the heroine embarking on a quest. However, in this case, the journey that the heroine undertakes is filled with internal gender conflicts and her “unconscious,” in a sense, is represented by the mythological world of the Basque-Navarre region. The detective -- as I present her in this work – appears to represent a possible redefinition of the female figure, making her unique in the context of Spanish crime narratives written by women. To support my arguments, I follow the theories of Carl Gustav Jung, Maureen Murdock, and Joseph Campbell. Additionally, to substantiate my ideas concerning the mythological world of Baztán and the conflict of the psyche, I turn to the studies of José Miguel de Barandiarán and Clarissa Estés Pinkola. My dissertation consists of an introduction, four chapters, and a conclusion. The introduction provides a more general context of the work. Chapter one offers a general understanding of the history of the crime novel, beginning with its creator, Edgar Allan Poe, and his followers; and leading up to Latin America & Spain, with its various names and characteristics developed over time. Chapter two analyzes the theoretical sources used in the thesis. Chapter three explores the folklore and myths of the Basque-Navarre region and how these elements help represent the nature, strength of the female character and her connection to the environment. In chapter four, I attempt a more detailed psychological and anthropological portrait of the main character, showing how the heroine completes her journey of self-discovery.