From “nós” to “a gente”: the collective narrative in "Torto Arado"

Abstract

In contemporary Brazilian literature, there is a noticeable evolution from narratives centered on the individual to a collective approach. However, this transition often restricts itself to specific groups, creating barriers in communication among different identities. Recently, some works of fiction in Brazil have transcended this limitation, with Torto Arado (Crooked Plow) by Itamar Vieira Junior being a notable example. This article investigates, using Hardt and Negri's theories of the “multitude” and linguistic analyses of first-person plural pronouns, how Torto Arado manages to embrace inclusivity by focusing on female characters from a quilombo, potentially uniting various genders, races, classes, and regions. It is argued that the transition from “escrita de nós” (exclusive we-narrative) to “escrita da gente” (inclusive we-narrative) symbolizes a new paradigm in collective narrative, allowing for the inclusion of a broader range of voices and experiences.