741 Gabriela Mistral

Oct 16, 2025

Explore the life of Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize for her evocative poetry. Born in the Andes and shaped by early loss, Mistral's experiences fueled her social activism and commitment to education reform for women and the impoverished. Delve into her breakthrough collection, 'Desolación,' and the personal tragedies that influenced her work. Discover how her spiritual journey and complex relationships enriched her poetry, leaving an enduring legacy that inspires even today.

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INSIGHT

Name As Poetic Identity

Gabriela Mistral crafted a public persona by choosing a name that combined spiritual and natural power.
The chosen name signaled both angelic fire and the forceful wind, reflecting her poetic identity.

ANECDOTE

Childhood Valley Shaped Her Soul

Mistral recalled Monte Grande as a perfect childhood paradise of almond and fig trees that shaped her imagination.
She said she was happy until she left at eleven and never happy again, marking a formative rupture.

ANECDOTE

Absent Father, Lasting Influence

Mistral's father abandoned the family when she was three but left her with songs and a nomadic poetic spirit.
His guitar, poems, and roaming life gave her both yearning and creative impulse.

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In 1945, the Nobel Committee awarded its prize for literature to Gabriela Mistral (1889-1957) "for her lyric poetry which, inspired by powerful emotions, has made her name a symbol of the idealistic aspirations of the entire Latin American world." Born in a rural Andean valley and abandoned by her free-spirited father at the age of three, Mistral struggled for the right to be a teacher - and then went on to help reform the Chilean educational system to improve the lives of women and the impoverished. After experiencing heartbreak and several tragedies, her poetry collection Desolación ("Desolation" or "Despair") (1922) made her one of Latin America's most revered writers. In this episode, Jacke looks at the life and works of this remarkable poet, whose constant search for truths in nature and humanity informed a body of work that continues to delight and inspire.

Join Jacke on a trip through literary England (signup closing soon)! The History of Literature Podcast Tour is happening in May 2026! Act now to join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠John Shors Travel⁠⁠⁠. Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Find out more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website ⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com⁠⁠⁠. Or visit the ⁠⁠⁠History of Literature Podcast Tour itinerary⁠⁠⁠ at ⁠⁠⁠John Shors Travel⁠⁠⁠.

The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠gabrielruizbernal.com⁠⁠.

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