NARRATIVAS JUVENIS BRASILEIRAS: EM BUSCA DA ESPECIFICIDADE DO GÊNERO

Abstract

This study investigates the specificities of contemporary Brazilian youth literature based on the initial hypotheses that such works attempt to establish an educational process for life. The concept of education is based on Bildungsroman (or formation novel), a genre whose paradigm is Goethe s Wilhelm Meister s Apprenticeship. The human-centred formation in this novel goes beyond purely practical teachings and leads the main character towards a maturity process promoted by existential ordeals. Thus, Meister s educational principles are taken into account in order to observe how the educational issue is represented in youth literature. This theoretical research aims to discuss the possible relationship between formation novels and youth literature as well as its characteristics. Works by Sandra Beckett (1997), Daniel Delbrassine (2002, 2006), João Luís Ceccantini (1993, 2000), Geffard-Lartet (2005), and Danielle Thaler (2002) were used as reference. Furthermore, the Vaga-lume Series published by Editora Ática was analysed. The series is a pioneering collection in Brazil as regards publishing novels for young readers. The analysis also included the finalist novels for the Jabuti Prize which were selected by Câmara Brasileira do Livro (CBL) from 2006 to 2008 in the Best Youth Book category. Readers undergoing a formation process feel seduced by specific strategies related to thematic and formal choices used in such novels. The educational issue is important due to the fact that the young character shows greater experience after facing ordeals. Therefore, in order to understand the tendencies in contemporary youth narratives, it is necessary to discuss its features and carry out an intrinsic analysis of works published under the heading of youth literature.