“A ESCRAVA” (1887) BY MARIA FIRMINA DOS REIS

THE VIOLENCE FACED BY BLACK WOMEN DURING SLAVERY AND ITS ECHOES TODAY

Abstract

Maria Firmina dos Reis (1825-1917) was the first black writer to produce abolitionist literature in Brazil and fought for racial and gender equality. The main aim of this work is to explore how this author portrays the various forms of violence faced by black women during the period of slavery in 19th century Brazil, through her short story "A escrava" (1887). We seek to demonstrate that violence was not only rooted in the institutional structure of society at the time, but also persists today in forms such as racism and sexism. To do this, we base our analysis on the studies of Lélia Gonzalez (2020), Lilia Schwarcz (2019) and Eduardo Duarte (2018), who explore the experiences of violence faced by enslaved women and their current implications. In addition, we highlight Firmina dos Reis' innovative approach in adopting a perspective of alterity, giving voice to enslaved subjects so that they can narrate their traumatic memories of this historical period in Brazil. Therefore, this study uses bibliographical research as its method, with a review of relevant literature to support the proposal presented and contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of violence and resistance in the context of slavery in Brazil.