O Perfil Feminino no Século XIX: a representação da mulher oitocentista a partir das obras “Lucíola” e “Senhora” de José de Alencar

Abstract

This monograph is an analysis of the novels "Lucíola" and "Senhora" by José de Alencar, with an approach on the female profile in the nineteenth century, presenting the aspects of the representation of the nineteenth century woman portrayed in the literature, from these works. At the same time, it seeks to expose the contents related to marriage by interest and prostitution, central themes in the works evaluated. In this section, we highlight the life and works of José de Alencar, an important Brazilian novelist, focusing on his biography and literary style, especially in relation to the wellknown "urban romances", which depict female profiles, from this retraction, the possibility of identifying and listing habits of the life of these women, their affective relationships and their dramas. Thus, in a paternalistic view in contemporary society, marriage was considered the most appropriate destination, but not the only one, while prostitution emerged as a second way, as a form of "punishment" for those who did not follow social precepts, or those of the lower and marginalized social strata. Presumably, this monographs also a modest reference to the thinking of some scholars on women.