THE CLOTHES OF MARIA OLÍMPIA: FASHION AND PUBLIC ADMIRATION IN "A SENHORA DO GALVÃO"

Abstract

This article aims at a reading of the short story "A senhora do Galvão" based on the references and representations of fashion and clothing found in the text. It also considers how the desire for public admiration influences the behavior of the protagonist, Maria Olímpia. Bearing this in mind, consideration is given to the interdependent relationship between these topics while observing how the plot’s suspense is displaced from Galvão’s infidelity to the construction of Maria Olímpia’s behavior through fashion, clothing and appearance. In addition to theoretical works on eighteenth century fashion, the newspaper Jornal das Senhoras, published in Brazil between 1852 and 1855 was studied as a source of research on this subject.

"A senhora do Galvão"; Machado de Assis; fashion; clothing; public admiration