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La gitanilla

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La gitanilla is the first novela contained in Miguel de Cervantes' collection of short stories Novelas ejemplares (The Exemplary Novels).

La gitanilla is the story of a 15 year old gypsy girl named Preciosa, who is said to be talented, extremely beautiful, and wise beyond her years. Accompanied by her adoptive grandmother & other members of her gypsy family group, Preciosa travels to Madrid, where she meets a charming nobleman, named Juan de Carcome. Juan proposes to Preciosa, only to be challenged to spend two years as a member of Preciosa’s gypsy family group, under the alias of Andres Caballero. During these adventurous two years, much is learned by the main characters and of the main characters, resulting in an unexpected happy ending. The main themes of the story include the making & breaking of stereotypes, female power & freedom, the importance of word, and the so-called truth behind the mystery of gypsy life.

Plot Summary

In a moment of anagnorisis, it is revealed that Preciosa is the daughter of nobility, the magistrate, Don Fernando de Acevedo, knight of the order of Calatrava, and his wife, Doña Guiomar de Menesis. Preciosa's grandmother kidnapped Preciosa as a young child and raised her as her own granddaughter.

Main Characters

Preciosa (Doña Constanza de Azevedo y de Meneses)
Preciosa is a 15 year old gypsy girl who is described as being a unique dancer, beautiful, polite and reasonable, and honest. Cristina, her Preciosa's close friend, claimed that Preciosa is wiser than a wise man. According to the story (and to the people of Madrid) Preciosa was outstanding in all her endeavors. She was so impressive that all would run to see her. Preciosa is presented as an upstanding member of her community and an exception to the stereotypes of gypsies at the time. Unfortunately, as the model representative of gypsyhood, it is evident that the only gypsy that is acceptable to society, is a gypsy who is a non-gypsy.

The grandmother of Preciosa
Don Juan de Cárcamo (Andrés Caballero)
Clement (Page)
Clement is a devoted poet and a friend of Andrés. Andrés becomes jealous of Clement as he sees that Preciosa begins spending a lot of time with Clement, however, Clement is just interested in writing poems for Preciosa to perform, as she is a notable entertainer.
The family of Juan
Don Francisco de Cárcamo
The biological family of Preciosa
Preciosa's biological father is revealed to be the magistrate, Don Fernando de Acevedo, knight of the order of Calatrava, and her biological mother is Doña Guiomar de Menesis.

Major Themes

Stereotypes
Female Liberation & Power
Importance of Words
Gypsy Life