Traits and plot of the diaspora: an analysis of ‘Um lençol de infinitos fios’, by Susana Ventura

Abstract

In the current socio-political and cultural context of Brazil, the arrival flows of immigrants on Brazilian soil are increasingly emerging. Based on the interest of writers in migration issues, examples of literary works that address this topic emerge. Um lençol de infinitos fios, by Susana Ventura, was published in 2019 to contribute to productions that focus on the reality and challenges that immigrants experience when arriving in Brazil. This study aims to discuss the effects of diaspora on the characters of the children's book Um lençol de infinitos fios (2019). From the perspective of post-colonial theoretical reflections on the diaspora, belonging and resistance, in addition to theories that deal with prejudice, we could discuss the hybrid identities and constant negotiation of the characters in the text, the cultural and physical differences of characters that are received in Brazilian society with discrimination, as well as the power relations of groups that are in a hegemonic position in society. Furthermore, we understood the characters' relationships with their multiple places of belonging and acts of resistance that demonstrated the characters' critical sense and the strengthening of ties with their original culture.