Between jokes and truths: strategies for recognition by Manuela Tomasa Sánchez de Oreja and Francisca de Osorio, women almanac writers

Abstract

The genre of almanacs or astrological forecasts, so in vogue in Spain in the 18th century, was also cultivated by women, such as Manuela Sánchez de Oreja, «la Gran Piscatora Aureliense», and Francisca de Osorio, «la Musaraña del Pindo». As was usual among the women writers of that time, they used their texts to argue in favour of female abilities and their equal right to publish their work as men did. Since both followed the literary model formed by Torres Villarroel, they used similar thematic motifs and burlesque style, while giving them new functionality and adding to them more serious affirmations related to their position as women writers. Thus, they participated in the gender debate of their time, anticipating already in the 40s and 50s other women writers later in the century.