El Viaje de Carol

Carol fights against the conventionalisms found in this new cultural by.....
Not conforming to the social norms usually associated with being a women in a Spain.  When her mother dies, she is forced to live with her aunt, who tries to impose her will on Carol.  Another way she does this is by continuing to try to get letters to her father, who is an American as well, fighting for the "other" side of the Spanish revolution.  Her American background plays a major role in both of these examples.  Many people across the world, have the impression that Americans are hard headed, not willing to change.  While this may be true, it definitely interferes with Carol's ability to adapt to her new culture in Spain. 

The Franco years...what is pretty amazing about Franco and reign of power that he held was that he had absolute power for 40 years.  That is an absurd amount of time for one regime, let alone one person to hold power over an entire country.  He abolishes Parliament, and possibly more damaging, he did away with all political parties (his opposition).  Though not everything that Franco did could be considered bad, he definitely did many things that have hurt Spain even 35 years later.  He suppressed many of the rights of women, especially the right to an education.
Chris Pappas