Urban novels: the representation of women in nineteenth century brazilian literature based on the analisys of the books memórias de um sargento de milícias (1854) and senhora (1875)

Abstract

This article endeavours to analyse the representation of women in the books Senhora written by the cearense José de Alencar (1829-1877), published in 1875, and Memórias de um sargento de milícias written by Manuel Antonio de Almeida (1831-1861), published in 1854. Both books follow the literary style named Urban Novels, a sub gender of nineteenth century Romantism. These dramas were staged in the capital of the Brazilian Empire, Rio de Janeiro, and, among their main features there are the social relations that residents established among themselves, as well as a series of criticismo to the habits and the morality of the wealthier and of the poorer classes who lived in the capital.