Minha vida de menina, by Helena Morley: a look at women’s role in Brazilina Nineteenth century

Abstract

This article proposes to make an analysis of the work Minha vida de menina, of Helena Morley, pseudonym of Alice Dayrell Caldeira Brant, in view of the representation of the role of women in the nineteenth century Brazilian period. Published in 1942, this book is the reunion of the writings of a diary she wrote between the years 1893 and 1895 when she was between 13 and 15 years old. In this work, there are several female characters, especially the mother, the grandmother and the sister of Helena, who have behaviors consistent with the patriarchalism in force at a time when power was predominantly concentrated in the male figure. On the other hand, despite this condition, one can see that Helena is able to break, to a certain extent, with some of the stereotypical precepts imposed on nineteenth century Brazilian women. The protagonist reflects and questions the role of the nineteenth century Brazilian woman, highlighting, at times, the differences between men and women in the society of this period.