Abstract

This selective survey of the studies on Saint Theresa in Spain between 1861 and 1963 focuses on how and why this saint proved so acceptable to non-Catholic quarters, and could even portray values opposite to that tradition. Two main instances: Américo Castro makes it necessary to approach her writings strictly as literary texts. A rejoinder to Francoism by novelist Ramón J. Sender in 1963 makes saint Theresa a concealed opponent of king Philip II and the traditional Spain.