Narrativa e identidade no MST

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the role of narrative in the identity construction of the landless worker. The narrating process implies the possibility of constructing an identity for oneself. As for the landless movement, narrative is useful as a tool for portraying - for the landless themselves and society as a whole - an image other than that presented by dominant groups, usually conceived of as their opponents. Such a counter-narrative is constitutive of both the landless’s  self- representation and their actions. As a result, the identity which the movement seeks to construct for itself can be based both on attributes taken from tradition - thus reinforcing purist notions - as well as on difference. The movement’s attitudes towards linguistic and cultural expressions are an important part of this analysis. The data are based on printed and electronic texts produced by the MST