[Fuvest] "Água Funda" explora as tradições populares brasileiras

Summary

Ruth Guimarães, a notable Brazilian author born in 1920, explores themes of race, gender, and class in her work. Identifying as a poor Black woman and a 'Caipira,' she captures the essence of rural culture and folklore. Her narrative, woven from memory and subjective experiences, features two interconnected stories: one set in the late 19th century, focusing on a slave owner's struggles within a patriarchal society, and another in the post-abolition era, depicting ongoing social inequalities. Guimarães's accessible language and fragmented style invite readers to reflect on the enduring impact of slavery and cultural identity.

Takeaways

• 📚 Ruth Guimarães is a Brazilian author born in 1920, recognized for her dedication to preserving popular culture and memory.
• 🌍 She identifies as a Black, poor, and rural woman, which shapes her literary perspective and themes.
• 💔 Her writing often challenges societal prejudices, using the term 'folklore' to reclaim and celebrate cultural narratives.
• 🔍 Guimarães employs a fragmented narrative structure in her works, reflecting characteristics of first modernism.
• 📖 The stories in her books often weave personal memories and subjective experiences into the broader historical context.
• 👩‍🌾 One narrative features Sinhá, a landowner in the late 19th century, showcasing the struggles of women in a patriarchal society.
• ⚔️ The second narrative transitions to the 20th century, focusing on Joca, whose life is marked by mental turmoil and the remnants of slavery's impact.
• 👥 The third-person narrative perspective creates a connection to the community while maintaining an objective distance.
• 🔊 The narrator addresses an unnamed young man, emphasizing the importance of storytelling from those embedded within the culture.
• ⚖️ Guimarães' language is accessible yet profound, exploring enduring inequalities that persist despite the abolition of slavery.

Q & A

Who is Ruth Guimarães and what are her notable characteristics?

Ruth Guimarães was an author born in 1920 in Cachoeira Paulista. She identified as a poor black woman and a Caipira, and she was dedicated to preserving the memory of popular culture, often using the term 'folklore' to combat prejudice.

How does Ruth Guimarães's work relate to Modernism?

Her work incorporates elements of the first Modernism, particularly through its fragmented structure, which reflects her emphasis on the subjective experience of memory rather than strict objectivity.

What is the setting of the stories presented in the book?

The stories take place in the same region where Ruth Guimarães grew up, specifically during the late 19th century and into the 20th century, exploring themes related to slavery and its aftermath.

What are the two main narratives presented in the book?

The first narrative follows a slave owner named Sinhá, who marries without love and suffers in a patriarchal marriage. The second narrative, set in the 20th century, revolves around Joca and his tumultuous experiences on the same estate after the abolition of slavery.

What does the character Joca represent in the story?

Joca is portrayed as a troubled individual who experiences episodes of 'surto' (outburst), reflecting themes of madness or curses connected to the land, suggesting a deeper commentary on the historical legacy of slavery.

What narrative perspective does Ruth Guimarães use in her storytelling?

Guimarães primarily employs a third-person narrative perspective, occasionally showing signs of omniscience, which allows for a complex depiction of the characters' thoughts and experiences.

How does the narrative address the historical context of slavery?

The narrative acknowledges the violent history of slavery and its lingering effects on the characters and community, presenting a nuanced view of the societal changes that occurred after abolition.

What kind of language does Guimarães use in her writing?

Guimarães uses straightforward and uncomplicated language aimed at authentically capturing the essence of the cultural universe without resorting to caricature.

What social issues are reflected in the narratives?

The narratives reflect ongoing social issues such as exploitation, inequality, and the persistence of social injustices even after the formal end of slavery in Brazil.

What metaphor does Ruth Guimarães use to describe her book's structure?

Guimarães likens the structure of her book to a gigantic toy made of pieces, which mirrors the fragmented yet interconnected nature of the stories and memories she weaves together.