Bitita's diary: The essayistic autobiography of Carolina Maria de Jesus

Abstract

Published posthumously, Bitita's diary comprises the collection of Carolina Maria de Jesus' memoirs. The present study aims to analyze the autobiographical writings based on the author's childhood recollections through the lenses of their essay-like aspect. Our proposal is to demonstrate the way through which the narrative establishes Bitita as an unlikely spokeswoman for Carolina, stemming particularly from the allegorical and parabolic utterances voiced by the girl against the Brazilian society which humiliates and oppresses her.