Love story: “Retrato de um jovem poeta” by Dulce Maria Cardoso

“Retrato de um jovem poeta” de Dulce Maria Cardoso

Abstract

This paper analyzes the representation of feminine old age in the short story “Retrato de um jovem poeta” by Dulce Maria Cardoso. Grounded in the theories of Castells (2018) and Bauman (2001), which position individuals’ identities within socio-cultural contexts in crisis due to the impact of global capitalism and late modernity, the research employs a bibliographic research and case study approach. The article suggests that, by reflecting on these emerging issues in its production context, the short story contributes to a reflection on female aging and, more broadly, on the condition of women in old age. The presence of irony, as postulated by Hutcheon (2000), is emphasized as a discursive tool in constructing the plot, providing a deeper understanding of the presented reality. Furthermore, the article proposes the incorporation of a symbolic approach to reveal the intrinsic complexities of the plot, thus expanding the understanding of the narrative and contributing to a more comprehensive analysis of the studied theme.