As figurações de masculinidades no romance oitocentista: um estudo de Úrsula, de Maria Firmina dos Reis

Abstract

This study delves into the representation of masculinities in Maria Firmina dos Reis's nineteenth-century novel Úrsula (1859), seeking to unveil the complex figurations of masculinity within the work. The research proposes an in-depth analysis of the male characters, such as Tancredo, his father, Túlio and Fernando P., in light of the theories of hegemonic and subordinate masculinities, as outlined by Raewyn Connell, an Australian sociologist, in her seminal work Masculinities (2005), which is crucial for investigating the different masculine types present in the fabric of social relations and gender hierarchies. The primary aim is to identify how Firmina, a black woman, teacher, and staunch abolitionist, subverts the romantic conventions of her time, offering a multifaceted view of gender, race, and class relations in slave-owning Brazil. The methodology employed combines meticulous literary analysis with a historical and sociological perspective. It investigates the psychological construction and actions of the male characters, observing how their behaviors reflect or challenge the ideals of "being a man" in the nineteenth century. The research draws upon a theoretical framework that includes studies on the social phenomenon of violence and male domination, from both theoretical and literary standpoints, anchoring itself in Kimmel (1998), Nolasco (1993), Cunha (2021), Cecchetto (2004), and Connell (2005), among others, to contextualize masculinities within Brazilian imperial society and literature. The results of the analysis reveal that Firmina not only portrays but also critiques nineteenth-century masculinities. Tancredo emerges as a "subversive emotional masculinity," prioritizing affection and vulnerability, in contrast to his father's tyranny. Túlio, the enslaved character, represents a "black masculinity" that, despite oppression, maintains his dignity and humanity, challenging the dehumanization imposed by white hegemony. Fernando P., in turn, embodies "dominant masculinity," marked by violence, possession, and destruction, symbolizing the brutality of the slave-owning patriarchy. It is concluded that Úrsula is a pioneering work in giving voice to historically marginalized individuals and in denaturalizing gender and racial hierarchies. Through her male characters, the author exposes the fissures of the patriarchal and slave systems, revealing that male domination is not monolithic but a complex and contestable social process. This work aims to contribute to the research field on masculinities in Brazilian literary studies, highlighting the timeless relevance of Maria Firmina dos Reis's work for understanding social and gender dynamics in Brazil.