A construção da identidade do negro em "o avesso da pele', de Jeferson Tenório: uma análise semiótica

Abstract

Literature has been a fundamental tool for the construction and redefinition of black identity, especially in Brazil, where racism and prejudice impose challenges on the black population. In this context, this research aims to investigate the construction of black identity in the work “O Avesso da pele”, by Jeferson Tenório. This is a qualitative research, with French Discursive Semiotics as its theoretical-methodological support, based on Greimas and Courtés (1979, 2008, 2016 and 2020), Barros (2002, 2005 and 2019), Discini (2003) and Fiorin (1995, 2005, 2008 and 2018), among other authors. Among the main results, we can see the fundamental semantic oppositions that are represented by the pairs /oppression/ versus /freedom/, essential for the construction of the image of black people, highlighting racism, prejudice and violence, as well as /identity/ versus /otherness/, thematizing the relationship between white people, who occupy a place of prestige and power in society, and black people, who have an inferior and oppressed role. Black people are constituted by the modal principles of wanting and having to be accepted in society. Initially, upon being negatively sanctioned by the “other”, Henrique accepts that he does not have the power and know-how, fearing new sanctions. However, by recognizing that, through knowledge, he could not only be accepted but also transform the situation of other people, Henrique begins to exercise his will, his duty, his knowledge and his ability to do. The work thus points to both a becoming and an eventuality by presenting the possibility of breaking with the structures of oppression, showing that identity is marked by resistance and the struggle for freedom and acceptance. In discursive terms, the enunciative praxis calls upon socio-ideological marks that show a vision of society in relation to black people, according to their role, place and way of being and existing in the world, constructing a stereotypical and dehumanized image. Furthermore, through cultural ancestry, black people present their strength, which inspires them and leads them to want to fight, collectively, for the objects-values of dignity and acceptance in society.