Representations of plural masculinity in narratives of primeiras estórias

Abstract

The term “toxic masculinity” is in vogue, however, already in the 60s, through works of Brazilian literature it was already possible to find characters who questioned this male profile based on brute force, aggressiveness and the removal of aspects related to feelings, to affection and affection. This is the perspective that we will try to analyze in this work, given that we will outline a panoramic analysis of some of the characters created by João Guimarães Rosa, in the short stories: “Famigerado”; “A benfazeja”; “Os irmãos Dagobé”; “Luas-de-mel” and “Substância”, which make up the collection Primeiras estórias. In this way, we will seek to reflect about how this author’s narratives already traced a delicate and deep questioning about the figure of the man and his masculinity expressed socially. Thus, we believe that these narratives can provide reflections on the perception and evolution of the understanding of masculinity in our society, since several characters already presented us with indications of a plural masculinity, a masculinity that seeks to move away from static models, pre-conceived and stereotyped of being a man.