Patriarchal Violence and Brazilian Masculinities in Clarice Lispector's A Maçã no Escuro
2009; Liverpool University Press; Volume: 86; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bhs.0.0079
ISSN1478-3398
Autores Tópico(s)Cultural, Media, and Literary Studies
ResumoThrough close readings of some passages of A Maçã no Escuro, I focus on the representations of masculinity in the construction of the characters Vitória and Martim. I contend that their 'masculinities' – shaped by Brazilian social codes – are denounced and presented as obligations, which constitute, ultimately, destructive experiences for both characters. Nevertheless, the characters themselves fail to acknowledge the gendered dimension of their sufferings. I analyse these masculinities as 'subjects' and, particularly, as 'objects' of Brazilian patriarchal violence. I intend to show how, through the representation of the masculine roles and expectations which are, respectively, assigned to Martim and chosen by Vitória, a particular brand of violence is either inflicted or self-inflicted as a direct consequence of a distinctly Brazilian – and Luso-Brazilian – patriarchal system. Following the introductory text there are two subdivisions in my article: 'Masculine submission/domination' and 'The meaning of the crime'.
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