Carolina em 4 atos: as diferentes fases de uma trabalhadora brasileira (1920-1970)

Abstract

Carolina Maria de Jesus is an emblematic figure in Brazilian literature, not only because she was a unique writer who challenged academically accepted literary forms but also because she lived her entire life as a worker. However, her condition as a worker was only sometimes, or at least did not appear to be, static, as she experienced various forms of work and labor relations. She worked in the countryside and the city, as a domestic servant, factory worker, laundress, cook, paper collector, writer, and even in a circus! But what did these experiences mean for Carolina Maria de Jesus? How did they shape her actions, values, and literary production? How did Carolina perceive and portray herself and other workers? In her diaries and fictional writings, Carolina consistently sought to express her political views and moral values, making them valuable sources for understanding her experience and the working class. These are the questions I seek to answer throughout this thesis.