O realismo machadiano por trás das grades: reflexões realizadas com estudantes privados de liberdade, a partir do conto “Pai contra mãe” de Machado de Assis

Abstract

This article aims to report an experience of reading and reflective analysis of the short story “Father against mother” by Machado de Assis, which deals mainly with the period of slavery in Brazil and in the midst of this scenario, addresses several issues of human nature, such as the struggle for survival and the 'objectification' of man. These reflections were carried out with students in a situation of seclusion, whose purpose was for them to experience Machado's realistic literature and make an analogy with the context in which they are inserted. In this way, questions will be presented related to how the students “read” the story and how what is seen in this text is linked to their condition as a person deprived of liberty, following an empirical perspective, establishing a link with social aspects. The considerations will be pointed out in conjunction with the importance of the work for the reality in focus, with the intention that this literature brings with it marks of irony, in an impetus to denounce the humiliating past that still needs to be repaired. Characteristics of this context are experienced in the prison system, according to data from the NCJ (National Council of Justice) and BIGS (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) due not only to overcrowding, but signs of slavery that can be seen in everyday life. The discussions focus on the relevance of reading literary texts in spaces of seclusion.

KEYWORDS: Reading literary text. Youth and Adult Education. Prison system