A MULHER NO ESPELHO LITERÁRIO: UM ESTUDO COMPARADO ENTRE MARIA DA TEMPESTADE E DIÁRIO DE UMA PAIXÃO

Abstract

Throughout the 20th century, the role of women underwent numerous transformations in Brazilian and American societies. The literary works Maria da Tempestade (1956), by João Mohana, and The Notebook (1997), by Nicholas Sparks, serve as literary mirrors reflecting these changes that occurred mainly in the societies of the 1950s and 1990s. In the Brazilian context of the 1950s, portrayed in Maria da Tempestade, the character Bárbara confronts the restrictions of a patriarchal society, fighting for her independence and personal recognition. Throughout her journey, the character presents the limitations and challenges faced by women during this period, highlighting the traditional expectations that shaped their lives. On the other hand, The Notebook introduces us to Allie, a character who lives in a more contemporary period, but still marked, like Barbara's, by gender issues. Therefore, this work aims to compare the trajectories of Barbara and Allie, analyzing the social and cultural transformations that occurred throughout this century, highlighting a gradual evolution in the status and opportunities of women in society. The analysis of these literary works allows us to understand the changes in women's living conditions and the persistent challenges they face in their pursuit of equality and autonomy. Therefore, this study seeks to contribute to a broader understanding of women's history in the 20th century, highlighting the importance of literature as a tool for exploring and reflecting on women's experiences in different historical contexts. For this reason, this research adopts a qualitative approach, exploratory and analytical in nature, based on the fundamentals of literary criticism, gender studies, and feminist criticism, drawing on authors such as Judith Butler, Bell hooks, among others, as well as Brazilian theorists such as João Mohana. Based on this theoretical foundation, the results show that female identity in both works is constructed under the influence of the male gaze, with emphasis on memory and affection. The continued association of women with caregiving and the conflicts between personal desire and social expectations were also observed. At the same time, the differences between the characters reveal advances in female freedom and possibilities for choice.