A hora de Macabéa: a imagem da decadência e os conflitos da personagem de ficção

Abstract

The Hour of the Star portrays the journey of Macabéa, an orphan from the hinterlands who migrated to Rio de Janeiro in search of a better life. The character serves as a representation of marginalized and excluded social groups due to their socioeconomic status. This study aims to analyze the developments of Macabéa's character throughout the narrative of The Hour of the Star, the social relationships she establishes, and the context in which she is situated. The specific objectives include reflecting on the interaction between literature and society in The Hour of the Star; investigating the conflicts and missteps of the fictional character within the research corpus; and examining how the interpersonal relationships between Macabéa and the characters Olímpico and Rodrigo S. M. reveal social issues. By focusing on the social aspect that the protagonist unveils, a path is opened for understanding and analyzing the portrayal of social inequality present in the work. Therefore, this research is justified by considering that through this fictional narrative, we can explore and discuss issues such as poverty and social exclusion, recurring themes in Brazilian Literature. To support the arguments presented, we draw on the studies of Candido (1980), who offers reflections on the relationship between literature and society, as well as his study on the fictional character Candido (2009); regarding Clarice Lispector's writing, the research of Nunes (1989), Bosi (2006), and Candido (1977 and 1989) were considered. Weintraub (2017), who discusses The Hour of the Star, and Gotlib (2017), who has conducted extensive research on the corpus of this monograph, were also consulted. In the conclusion of this work, it was understood that through her writing, Clarice Lispector establishes parallels between fiction and reality by representing migrants and people from the hinterlands through her protagonist, bringing to light the important discussion about the role of the fictional character, as explored by Candido (2009). Thus, Macabéa represents the thousands of people who live on the margins of society, remaining in a place of exclusion and invisibility. It is hoped that through the discussions and analyses presented, reflections on themes such as marginalization and social exclusion, as well as the need for policies aimed at solving such problems, will be expanded