Voz e ironia na obra Filhos da pátria, de João Melo

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on African literature, with an emphasis on lusophone African literature and the relationship between literary pieces and oral tradition, voice and irony. We used the book "Filhos da Pátria" (2001), by the Angolan writer João Melo, as a corpus of analysis. The main objective of this study is (1) to analyze how elements that refer to the African oral tradition appear in the stories present in the book "Filhos da Pátria" (2001); and (2) to discuss how the author uses the voice of the characters and irony to approach, criticize and denounce the problems faced by post-independent Angola. To achieve this objective, we developed bibliographical research and performed the analysis of four short stories through the qualitative method. The theoretical foundation relied on the contributions of several researchers, such as M'Bow (2010), Ki-Zerbo (2010), Vansina (2010), Bâ (2010), Amorim and Matos (2015), authors who research the general history of Africa; Leite (2020), Chaves (2000), Padilha (2011), scholars of African literature; Zumthor (2005), Cavarero (2011), authors we used to reflect on the voice; and Muecke (2018), Alavarce (2009), Duarte (2006) and Hutcheon (2000), who research irony. In addition to the introduction and the conclusion, this paper was developed into three chapters. In the first one, we sought dialogue with literary critics, carrying out critical reviews of some articles to discuss themes related to the book "Filhos da Pátria" (2001). In the second chapter, we reflect on oral tradition, voice and irony in African literature, starting from oral tradition to irony in African Portuguese-speaking literature. Finally, in the third chapter, we use the selected short stories to discuss the voices of the marginalized and the critical irony in Filhos da Pátria (2001). We verified that João Melo's prose narratives present a writing style marked by irony, humour and dialogue with the African oral tradition.