Capitu, a Mulher no Espelho:

Gênero, Identidade a Verdades Fragmentadas em Dom Casmurro

Abstract

This article conducts a detailed analysis of the character Capitu from Dom Casmurro by Machado de Assis, focusing on issues of gender, identity, and the fragmentation of truths. The central objective is to investigate how Capitu, throughout the narrative, challenges the prevailing social norms and how the construction of her identity reflects the performativity of gender, in line with Judith Butler’s (1990) theories. The theoretical foundation includes discussions of the exclusion and silencing of peripheral groups, proposing a reading of Capitu as a representation of marginalized subjects in Brazilian literature. The methodology involves a documental analysis of the work and a critical literature review, highlighting narrative ambiguity and interpretative plurality in Dom Casmurro. Preliminary results indicate that the character symbolizes fragmented and contingent identities, allowing for multiple readings, especially from a contemporary gender and identity perspective. Furthermore, the article fosters a dialogue between Brazilian literature and other global literary traditions, emphasizing cultural and comparative intersections. The discussion reveals that the contribution of this study lies in the articulation between literature and identity representations, offering new perspectives on Machado de Assis's work.