O foco narrativo em Úrsula, de Maria Firmina dos Reis : uma análise da polifonia e das perspectivas narrativas do romance

Abstract

This Undergraduate Thesis analyzes the novel Úrsula, by Maria Firmina dos Reis, highlighting its narrative structure, stylistic innovations, and historical-literary context. Published in 1859, the novel stands out as the first abolitionist work written by a woman in Brazil, addressing slavery not just as a background element but as one of the central axes of the narrative. The analysis considers the presence of polyphony in the novel, a fundamental concept in Bakhtin's literary theory, which grants autonomy to the characters' voices, especially the enslaved ones, differentiating it from conventional narratives of the period. In addition to social criticism, the research discusses the construction of female characters and how the novel anticipates issues of gender and resistance. The historical marginalization of the author and her recent rediscovery by literary criticism are also addressed, highlighting her importance for Afro-Brazilian and feminist literature.