A representação da mulher na ficção de autoria feminina paranaense : Pompília Lopes dos Santos (1900-1993)

Abstract

This thesis investigates the representation of women in the novel by the author Pompilia Lopes dos Santos, from Paraná, Brazil. In particular, our investigation is based on protagonist characters Letícia, in the novel "Abismo" (Abyss) (1985), and Helena, in the novel "Afinidade" (Affinity) (1949). Throughout this work we sought to highlight the differences in the construction way of the female identities, Letícia and Helena, as well as to analyze the differences that go through the relations of gender of those women, which may be a factor capable of directing the trajectory of women. We notice that in the construction process of narratives, the author tends to follow traditional patterns and molds, in other words, in her novels, she emphasizes the plots with multiple incidents, differing substantially from the intimate trend, widespread by Brazilian female writers in the second half of the twentieth century. The woman, throughout her existence, has been represented - in literature, film, advertising, etc. - from male perspective, often, based on patriarchal ideology. It is considered to represent the ideal female image according to traditional thinking, therefore, as marginalized, silenced, oppressed and limited to the domestic environment. The works were analyzed from the operational concepts provided by the Feminist Critical Theory. The results point to the question of building up models of the female characters as extreme, at times as people who reach their goals in gender relations, being happy and fulfilled, at times as sufferers and exposed to a social oppressor and troubled marital relations. What we can highlight as applicant, both in the construction of identity as well as in the representation of these women, is that they are grounded in social standards that strive for moral and ethical values.