“À mulher brava, corda larga”: a violência contra a mulher no discurso jornalístico do Correio de Aracaju (1906–1914).

Abstract

This dissertation analyzes the publications from the Correio de Aracaju journal from 1906 to 1914, aiming to understand how journalistic discourse deals with the issue of violence against women and its manifestations – physical, sexual, psychological, verbal and symbolic violences. To accomplish this, we aim to comprehend how such discourses were associated to its historical period and promoted ideals. Therefore, we hope to identify the goals of the publications regarding women and in what ways its interests were a reflex of the Brazilian society of the First Republic, and, simultaneously, the Belle Époque. Basic bibliography to perform the analysis involves the concepts of violence (Chauí, 1985; Misse, 2016; Michaud, 1989; Bourdieu, 1989; 2012), representation (Chartier, 1990; Pesavento, 2007), and gender (Scott, 1992; Soihet, 2007). From the research, it was possible to comprehend that violence was not only found in the news, but also in anecdotes, articles, fiction, and also at the heart of the journalistic discourse, which practiced it sometimes. It was identified that though all women could be targets of violence, it was more frequently directed to those who would put themselves as deviants of the social norms of the time. Moreover, we realized that the writings of newspapers were loaded with intentions: they sought to diminish, discipline or punish women; justify aggressions perpetrated by men; or, in some cases, condemn violence altogether. Finally, we also understand that the basis for such discourses was associated to the modernizing impulse and to the ideals of the First Republic.