AN ANALYSIS OF THE SAINT JOANNA OF THE SLAUGHTERHOUSES, BY BERTOLT BRECHT, FROM THE CONCEPT OF SYMBOLIC VIOLENCE BY PIERRE BOURDIEU

Abstract

We propose an analysis of Bertolt Brecht's (1898-1956) A Santa Joana dos Matadouros (2009) through Pierre Bourdieu's (1930-2002) concept of symbolic violence, demonstrating how this type of violence is utilized by the meat tycoons, specially by the antagonist, Pedro Paulo Bocarra, to justify their actions against the working class as represented in the brechtian drama. To briefly discuss the idea of symbolic violence, we resort to Bourdieu's words on the essay A codificacao (2004) and on the books Meditacoes pascalianas (2001) and A dominacao masculina (2020). To substantiate the application of this extraliterary concept to Brecht's play, we review the considerations of the brechtian critics about the epic theater and its deep dialogue with the social structures around it. Lastly, we analyze some excerpts from A Santa Joana dos Matadouros which, in our perspective, figure the capitalists' symbolic violence against the working class.