Grand-motheŕs portraits in contemporary child literature of Ana Maria Machado and Ruth Rocha

Abstract

Besides leisure, literature is a means to present messages, reflection and discussion about human issues, therefore an important subject to psychosocial investigation. Aiming to understand the grandmother as a character two stories for children written by two well known Brazilian writers were analyzed, Bisa Bia Bisa Bel, by Ana Maria Machado and Atrás da Porta (Behind the Door), by Ruth Rocha. The qualitative approach of content analysis allowed the following categories: description of the characters and of their relationships; symbol analysis using Analytical Psychology; socio-historical context; authors' comprehension about education; concept of infancy; and literature as a means for author's message. Grand-mothers were presented as representing a previous generation(s), transmitting cultural and social tradition, sources of symbolic heritage (cultural, familiar, intellectual), contributing to their grandchildren's intellectual development and identity formation.