Ferocidade: a barbárie pós-utópica em Rubens Figueiredo.

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to propose an integrated reading of Rubens Figueiredo s short stories in the light of the discussion of the contemporary face of barbarity. The focus of this path of reading, which encompasses O livro dos lobos, As palavras secretas e Contos de Pedro, is the analysis of the ficcionalization processes of the conflicting relationship between civilization and barbarity and its articulation with the identity status of the post-utopian subject. How is the urban barbarity, with its several shades of meaning, treated in the narratives? To what extent does the contemporary urban subject allow himself to be represented as a neo-barbarian? As a starting point, we offer a bird s eye view of barbarity as a recurrent theme of discussion both in non-fictional discourses and in crucial moments of Brazilian literature history. Presently, we develop an initial reflection on the relationship between the contemporary face of barbarity and the most recent period of Brazilian literature. Finally, we propose individual readings of the short stories comprised in the three books taking into consideration the articulation they establish with each other.