The Relations between Space and Maternity in "Child Of The Dark: The Diary Of Carolina Maria De Jesus"

Abstract

This article analyzes the connections between the concepts of space and maternity in "Child Of The Dark: The Diary Of Carolina Maria De Jesus" (2014). This study uncovers, through a narrative analysis approach, the relations between space and the portrayal of maternity by the narrator-character of the work. In addition, the construction of the character of Carolina is also scrutinized, observing the sociocultural perspective in the narrative space and demonstrating the intrinsic relations between this space and the context of formation of the maternal subject. The concepts of topoanalysis (Borges Filho, 2007), fictional characters (Cândido, 2009), identity (Hall, 2006), maternity and mothering (Gradvohl; Osis; Makuch, 2014) serve as the theoretical-methodological framework for this research. The impact of space on the character's behavior was noticed, including her relationships with her children, neighbors, and herself. Although the narrator-character's negative relationship with the space in which most of the narrative takes place, it was precisely this relations that drove her to be a nurturing and protective mother for her children, establishing a strong emotional bond with them, transcending maternity and reaching motherhood.