Entre o romance e a poesia popular: uma análise comparativa de Vidas Secas de Graciliano Ramos e sua adaptação em cordel

Abstract

This work aims to conduct a comparative analysis between the novel Vidas Secas (1938), by Graciliano Ramos, and its adaptation in Cordel literature, Vidas Secas em cordel by Josué Limeira, published in 2024. The study discusses the concept of literary adaptation, highlighting how popular narratives can be reinterpreted in different cultural contexts. The research addresses the specificities of cordel literature in the Brazilian Northeast, emphasizing its strong connection with orality and the participation of the popular classes in literary production. The research starts from the perspective that both productions, although distinct in form and style, dialogue with each other in the treatment of social, cultural, and aesthetic themes related to life in the Northeastern hinterland. It seeks to understand how Graciliano Ramos's dry and fragmented prose is transformed into rhymed and musical verses in cordel, preserving the social denunciation and expanding its reach among the popular public. Beyond literary analysis, this work presents a pedagogical project aimed at 9th-grade classes in elementary school, with activities that encourage critical reading, creative production, and the appreciation of Northeastern Brazilian culture. The project's central theme is the figure of the dog Baleia, a symbol of loyalty and empathy, to promote discussions about the relationship between humans and animals and to stimulate ethical reflections in the school environment. It concludes that the integrated approach between novel and cordel literature enhances reading development, contributes to the appreciation of popular culture, and strengthens the critical understanding of social inequalities in Brazil.