In the stories read concerning India and South America, women play important roles. Some are not so tasteful while others portray them as strong and independent. In each story, woman are allowed to express themselves quite differently. They lead a life that dos not parallel ours but hopefully one day will. Women in India occupy a paradoxical status. On one hand, there is an abundance of goddesses occupying pivotal places in Indian mythology. On the other hand, there are inhuman Atraditions@ piled against them; Sati, Dowry-system, etc. c ....