FICTION OF THE SELF: A GLANCE AT NANCY HUSTON’S MARCAS DE NASCENÇA

This paper analyzes two works of the canadian writer Nancy Huston: Marcas de nascença and A espécie fabuladora. The main idea is to support the reading of the former work based on the reflections raised by the latter, especially regarding the aspect concerning issues such as the Meaning and the (re) invention of the self. The relevance of these concepts will be effective in an immersion in the universe of the four main characters of the novel Marcas de nascença: Sun, Randall, Sadie and Kristina. The paper focuses on seeking the essence of Meaning in the life of each one of these characters, always considering two vital and non-discernible ​​aspects: time and space in each of them. Therefore, literature and culture concepts will be considered such as the concept of Americanness as well as the Americanization, Identity, Fiction and Recognition. Thus, this assay is divided into two parts. The first one envisions the idea matter expressed by Huston in A espécie fabuladora - the ceaseless quest for Meaning culminating in identity shaping – in order to seek understanding from this point of view the occurrence of certain cultural phenomena of which some characters from Marcas de nascença are an expression. The second part observes each of the four main characters and strengthens the suggested initial idea (that the book's characters are constituent parts of a behavioral matrix vital to human existence), then filling the gaps of the two themes developed: the birthmarks transmitted throughout four generations and how these marks are recorded over fifty-six years of history. 

VISIONS OF THE WORLD AND THE SELF IN CHILDREN´S LITERATURE: COMMENTS ON THE WORK A BOLSA AMARELA, BY LYGIA BOJUNGA NUNES

Starting by the productive flourishing that children’s literature has been through between the decades of 1960 and 1980, this paper analyses the most inovating aspects of the book A bolsa Amarela (1976), by Lygia Bojunga Nunes. This literary piece is highly relevant because it incorporates an inovating structure combined with an inovating theme. In this sense, aspects such as language, fantasy, the seek for identity and individuality in an oppressive family environment and the constant questioning of family structure are all delineated here. In this way, A Bolsa Amarela is a proof that there are no restrictions concerning the young readers, since it is possible to approach the most intimate and complex feelings of the young people. Besides, this literary piece metaphorically represents Brazil in the 60‘s by focalizing the child’s viewpoint, revealing inumerous situations which constitute real analogies to dictatorship in Brazil, resulting in  thorough criticism to reality.