Memory, voice and authorship in Os sapatos de Té, by Cremilda and Elisabete Nascimento

Abstract

When reading Os sapatos de Té, immediately, it is evident that the stories narrated are told by more than one voice. The process that makes up this book is interesting, as it is the account of the mother, Cremilda, written by her daughter, the writer Elisabete Nascimento. Through the memories and voices that lead the work, we are brought to know another version of the story considered as the country's official. Based on the possible dialogues with the theories of Michael Pollak, Laura Cavalcante Padilha and Spivak, we begin this brief study, analysing memory as a fundamental element for the composition of the narrative and also for the protagonism of the black woman, who assumes, here, a role of griot, bringing her version of history, denouncing poverty, inequality, racism, slavery and giving visibility to the voices of the Baixada Fluminense of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The intention of this brief study is to contribute to the visibility of some of these voices.