A narrativa juvenil testemunho-formativa: aproximações éticas e estéticas

Abstract

This study aims to propose ethical and aesthetic approaches to the Bildungsroman theory together with the theory of testimony in youth literature through two narratives: Uma vez (2005), by Morris Gleitzman and Um caminho na noite (1990), by Lois Lowry. Both are classified as youth literature and have as their main characteristics youth protagonism and the horrors of the Second World War as a backdrop, so that they are marked by the memory of trauma, characteristic of a singular event in the past, which aims at a process of resignification in the present. Furthermore, the works have formative traits analogous to the Bildungsroman theory, due to the relationships they weave with the individual and collective improvement of their main characters, an aspect of important content for the narrative aimed at young people. The present study focuses on investigating the contribution of fictional narrative to address issues related to the physical/cognitive/psychological growth of the subject, in addition to an active memorialistic formation that is related to the relevance of the testimonial content present in such works. Furthermore, we intend to suggest the term testimonial-formative narrative to designate the works that bring the fusion between formation and testimonial content in their plot. As results obtained, the convergence between testimony and formation in youth narratives is observed as fruitful, in the sense that they act in the identity recognition of the new reading generations, and contribute to a reflective resignification of life in the present, in addition to bringing important topics to be discussed with young people, which contribute to their development and general formation. As a theoretical framework, the study uses the considerations of Seligmann-Silva (2000, 2003, 2006 and 2008), Sarmento-Pantoja (2012, 2013 and 2021), Paula (2021), Kokkola (2009), Bosmajian (2002) about testimony; Cruvinel (2009), Maas (2000), Mazzari (1999, 2010 and 2020), Moretti (2020) and Bakhtin (2003), on the Formation Romance. In addition to Adorno (1975, 1998), Felman (2000), Colomer (2003) and Ceccantini (2000 and 2010), among other theoretical sources.