Mulher, professora, mãe, esposa e amiga: narrativa epistolar de Mariama Bâ

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze the epistolary narrative of the work Uma Carta Tão Longa (2023 - Une si longue lettre, 1979) by Senegalese author Mariama Bâ, as a tool for denunciation and resistance by Senegalese women in the sociocultural context of 20th-century Senegal. The research is based on a gender perspective (Oyěwùmí, 2021) to understand the multiple layers of oppression faced by African women, particularly within patriarchal structures marked by polygamy, Islamic religion, and the remnants of French colonialism. Bâ's work, translated into Brazilian Portuguese in 2023, is an epistolary novel that, through the protagonist Ramatoulaye and her best friend Aissatou, brings to light themes such as forced marriage, the silencing of women, education, motherhood, and African women's autonomy. The research also discusses Mariama Bâ's trajectory as a teacher, activist, and writer, highlighting her contribution to African women’s literature and her struggle for gender equality. To achieve this, the gender concepts of Nigerian sociologist Oyèrónké Oyěwùmí are mobilized, offering a critique of Western feminism and emphasizing the need to address African women's struggles within their own traditions and contexts. The methodology used combines bibliographic research and literary analysis of the work in question. The conclusion is that Mariama Bâ's epistolary writing constitutes a space for expression and liberation, serving as a landmark in African literature and a powerful tool for denouncing inequalities and valuing the female experience in Senegal.