The space in A cabeça do santo, by Socorro Acioli: between the physical and cultural space

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the representation of the Brazilian backlands as a thematic and structural category in Socorro Acioli’s novel A Cabeça do Santo (2014), particularly in relation to its intertextual engagement with traditional discourses surrounding the Northeastern region, characterized by associations with the semiarid climate, mysticism, and stereotypical portrayals. In the novel, the backlands of Ceará serve as the narrative backdrop, invoking established narratives about the Northeast while simultaneously challenging and transforming these crystallized stereotypes. Alongside examining the physical landscape, we explore the cultural milieu infused with religiosity, depicted through various perspectives including worldview, fanaticism and elements of the marvelous. The latter aspect is notably illustrated through extraordinary occurrences linked to religious beliefs. To support this analysis, we will draw upon theoretical frameworks articulated by scholars such as Marçal (2009), Moraes (2014), Santini (2011), Todorov (1975) and others. This approach enables a comprehensive investigation into how the representation of the backlands in A Cabeça do Santo contributes to broader discussions on regional identity, cultural narratives and religious symbolism in Brazilian literature.