CAROLINA MARIA DE JESUS: PATRIARCHY AND GENDER OPPRESSION IN "PEDAÇOS DA FOME"

Abstract

This article reflects on patriarchy and gender oppression observed in the only novel, to date, published by Carolina Maria de Jesus, Pedaços da Fome (1963). The aim is to contribute to the visibility of black female authorship, recognizing the author's and the work’s contribution to Brazilian literary historiography. The study adopts a qualitative, bibliographical, and interpretative approach, following Minayo’s (2007) methodology. The theoretical framework is based on the propositions of Hollanda (2018), Saffioti (2004, 2013), Ribeiro (2021), Bourdieu (2007), and Lauretis (1994). Among its many qualities, Carolina's work stands out for the way it addresses reality—a literature that is thought-provoking for some and impactful for others—texts that delve into human experiences and coexistence with social ills, expressing conflicting emotions. Pedaços da Fome (1963) is a narrative with profound implications for discussions on gender, race, and class. The article emphasizes the characters of Colonel Pedro Fagundes (the protagonist’s father) and Paulo Lemes (the protagonist’s husband) to examine issues of patriarchy and gender oppression, noting that the protagonist, Maria Clara, is the one who suffers the most from the authoritarianism and sexism of both men.