Stop killing us: the (de)construction of masculinity in the chronicles by Cidinha da Silva

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the construction of masculinity in texts by Cidinha da Silva. Based on the understanding that the chronicler and short story writer from Minas Gerais weaves literary representations of imaginaries and current practices in our society, this research addresses how the design of gender roles exercised by men occurs in some of the artist's writings. The chronicles “Construção” (2011), “Me oriente, rapaz” (2014). and “O homem da meia-noite” (2018)  stand out presenting narratives which are guiding threads for a discussion on how this masculinity is shown in everyday relationships, especially those between fathers and sons. Among family memories related to the presence or absence of a father, the male characters open the way for a reflection on virility, strength, violence, domination, and the imaginary of the male provider, as discussed by bell hooks (2019; 2022), Rita Segato (2005), Pierre Bourdieu (2012), Henrique Restier da Costa Souza and Rolf Malungo de Souza (2023), as well as Fábio Araújo de Oliveira and Nádia de Jesus Santos (2022).