Quando os horrores são legitimados : distopia de gênero em as "Horas vermelhas", de Leni Zumas

Abstract

This thesis has as its premise the discussion of the novel by the American writer Leni Zumas, Red Clocks, to analyze two main aspects that are interconnected: dystopia, as a model of literary representation by highlighting fictional universes of repression, marginalization of rights possession of the body and restriction in the conception of alternative types of family; and misogyny that profoundly affects the socio-affective relationships of women when confronted with the forces of patriarchy. Thus, a theoretical perspective considers this novel as a gender dystopia. Based on theoretical readings of utopia and dystopia (MORE, 2003), (FERNS, 1999), (LEVITAS, 1990), (JACOBY, 2007) and (MOYLAN, 2000), Zumas’ discourse and narrative can be interpreted as a contemporary version of classic dystopias, but which escaped gender nightmares, a phenomenon that has been repeated with other authors since the publication of The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, in the late 1980s. The dystopia focused on the plot of two characters: Roberta Stephens, the biographer, who wanted to be a mother and was prevented because of the new adoption laws, and Matilda Quarles, the daughter, who became pregnant and decided to terminate the pregnancy when abortion was criminalized in that country. The second aspect of the novel that is discussed in this thesis is misogyny. For the second part of the thesis, I list some gender theories (BEAUVOIR, 2019a and b), (BORDIEU, 2012), (GARCIA, 2015), (PATEMAN, 1993) and (SAFFIOTI, 2004) in order to interpret Red Clocks as a narrative that addresses the problems faced by female characters just because they are women. For this second part, I try to establish a connection that discusses the narratives of the five protagonists from a feminist perspective. In addition to Roberta and Matilda, it analyzes the frustrations of Susan Korsmos, the wife, the marginalization of Gin Percival, the mender, and the lack of recognition of Eivør Mínervudottír, the Polar explorer.