A história e a literatura de Machado de Assis: a escravidão em O caso da vara, Mariana e Pai contra mãe

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the slavery in Brazil, not ended nationwide until 1888, from the three
Machadian tales: “O Caso da Vara”, “Mariana” and “Pai contra Mãe”, which are narrated in the nineteenth century
and, although distinct, the stories are concerned with denouncing the horrors of slavery, during and after its end.
This work intends to bring Brazilian Literature to the debate as an indispensable element in the social and historical
analysis of the country, capable of presenting new information and provoking reflection on different subjects.
Thus, this study is bibliographical in nature and is based on Bosi (1975), Priore and Venancio (2016), Candido
(1988; 1995; 2014), and Oliveira (2019). We hope, therefore, to contribute to the ethnic-racial thematic debate and
literary reading as an essential modality for the development of historical knowledge and for combating prejudice,
in addition to enabling the use of analysis for study and work in the classroom, mainly in the History and Literature
subjects, making a dialogue between them.