Ana Janses e o poder no Maranhão do século XIX: perspectivas para o Ensino de História

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the trajectory of Ana Jansen, an emblematic figure in 19th-century Maranhão society, from the perspective of Women’s History and Gender Relations, with emphasis on her role in spaces of power within a patriarchal society. Starting from the contradiction between normative discourses that idealized women as “pure,” “obedient,” and “passive,” and Ana Jansen’s prominent public presence, the research questions how this character managed to exercise political, economic, and social power, challenging the roles traditionally assigned to women. It also allows for reflection on how her trajectory can contribute to the teaching of History by valuing Women’s History and Gender Relations in the school context. The investigation shows that Ana Jansen’s path was shaped by multiple factors such as social class, racial identity, economic capital, and legal status, which enabled practices of power even in a context of strong patriarchal control. Being a white woman in a slaveholding society granted Ana Jansen certain privileges that, combined with her economic position and strategic alliances, contributed to her insertion in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Without portraying her as a representative of a homogeneous female collective, the study seeks to understand how this character’s unique experience reveals forms of subversion and negotiation in relation to prevailing gender norms. The research is based on primary sources such as 19th-century newspapers and manuscripts, as well as bibliography in women’s history and gender relations. As part of the work, an educational product was developed for elementary school: the short story Isabela and the Enigma of Ana Jansen: A Journey Through Time, aimed at 8th-grade students. The proposal contributes to legitimizing discussions about Women’s History and Gender Relations in the school environment, while also valuing local history and encouraging students’ critical thinking. The development of the product relied on bibliographic and visual sources, which provided theoretical and historical support to the narrative of the short story.