Representações de violência nos contos: Ana Davenga, Duzu-Querença e Maria, de Conceição Evaristo

Abstract

The theme of the present study is in the sense of analyzing the physical and symbolic violence and the marginalization of Afro-Brazilian female figures in the tales “Ana Davenga”, “Duzu-Querença”, “Maria”, belonging to the book Olhos d’água (2016), by writer Conceição Evaristo. It is a storybook, winner of Prêmio Jabuti, in this category, in 2015. It is observed in this work that the writer exposes, with the use of a poetic language, the existence of women, especially those of black descent. In Olhos d’água, Conceição directs her focus of interest to the Afro-Brazilian population, critically narrating the poverty and urban violence that mainly involves women. Violence is a theme present in the three texts analyzed, especially in the social context in which the works are described. Occurring in many ways, violence presents itself symbolically as well as physical violence. Although urban violence is currently considered a nationwide problem, affecting all classes, the slum (favela) is the main space for violence to occur as a mechanism of male preponderance and as a survival strategy. In common, the three characters, Ana Davenga, Duzu-Querença and Maria, approach each other for physically and psychologically suffering violence that oppresses them in the violent environment of the city. All have their identities suppressed by men who nullify them. All are subjected to a masculine power that still reflects, in full contemporaneity, old marks of the patriarchal order. In short, the three characters have, in the condition of African descent and women, the trait that makes them sisters.