As sociedades matrifocal e patriarcal na Era Arturiana: a representação de Morgana, em As Brumas de Avalon

Abstract

Several reflections of the role of women in the Western world can be raised by the representation of the female identity in literature, in political, economical and religious terms. Thereby, this research focuses on the book The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley, ascertaining how patriarchy has developed and has been consolidated in the society portrayed in the work. Moreover, the center is the character Morgaine and her confrontation with the new, since she is the main part in the clash between the pagan faith and the Christian religion in Britain, during the Medieval Period. This work emerges from the theories of Barros (2011), Koss (2000) and Quintino (2002), which provide an overview of the historical process of consolidation of patriarchy, as well as the conflict with the remnants of the matrifocal society portrayed in the novel. Furthermore, studies of Moraes (2002), Muraro (2000) and Perrot (2005) provide the background to elucidate the course of identity formation of the main character into the context of the Arthurian Era. Morgaine performs a path surrounded by periods of doubt, guilt or complete assertion of her values. However, the protagonist realizes that the cult in which she had been fighting to preserve had not been extinguished. It had been adapted by new social patterns. In other words, she could observe the figure of the Goddess transposed to the image of the Virgin Mary in Christianity. Therefore, this study culminates in a redemption process of the female nature genesis, for it brings several questions to western contemporary society, without, however, fail to report to the legend in question.