On Heroines and Battles: Representation, Agency, and Female Empowerment in ;Aquí están los Montesinos! by Feliciano Padilla

This paper discusses the novel <inverted exclamation>Aqu & iacute; estkn los Montesinos! by Feliciano Padilla, focusing on the representations of female characters within its diegesis. Drawing from gender studies, femininities, and agency theory, our descriptive-interpretative analysis reveals a transformative process for these characters. They move beyond being mere objects and emerge as agents, gaining the capacity to effect significant changes in their lives. This exploration sheds light on empowerment dynamics within the fictional context.