Luzia is warned to proceed with caution. How do you think her society regarded female ambition, and is the advice she was given still valid today?

I’m only in the early chapters, but I’m sensing a theme about ambition, particularly female ambition, and how the world seeks to thwart it. Luzia is warned to proceed with caution. Is that advice still valid centuries later?

Female ambition was definitely not approved of during the time period of the book and is not always welcome today. The glass ceiling is still holding strong although a few cracks have appeared.

Women, unless married or born to royalty or wealth, were regarded as tools for services and child rearing, or objects for male satisfaction. It has been a very long struggle for women over the ages and still seems like 3 steps forward, 2 back. What is amazing is that it is not uncommon for some women to actually support the backward movement.

Female ambition is still not held in high regard by most modern societies. It is a shame and a problem.

It is ironic that the married women, such as Dona Valentina, are treated as hot house flowers but independent women, notably the playwright Quiteria Escarcega, have more freedom. In the case of Luzia, however, her Jewish background could be suspect so she needs to be cautious in her endeavors.

Society at that time had very little regard for ambitious women unless you were a “lost cause” in which it seems they were then ignored, giving them unintentionally more freedom! Unfortunately gender and race are still in play today holding women back
Feels of late that we are stepping backwards once again.

Luzia was not only a woman but also of Jewish descent. You only have to watch the news to see that this is still a problem, and that there are parts of our that believe women should not speak out or stand up. It is sad that the seeds of discrimination and affliction remain in our nature to sprout and grow.

I was once told “don’t shine too bright.” Even today, female ambition is not respected. One step forward. Two steps back. Quite maddening.

Women are still controlled today. Either by men or open opportunities, or daily circumstances. Told to harness their ambition.

However back when this novel took place Luzia was virtually a non entity. She had no place or standing. The only thing she had was her 'little magic' and the need of men in higher positions to posses that power. She was expected to be quiet, have no opinions, and just follow the rules set for her. She would have been warned and threatened for any ambition or nod in that direction.