Child Of The Dark Sparknotes

Child of the Dark: Modernity and Its Discontents
Following the Kubitschek regime in Brazil in 1955 through 1960 the problem with the model of modernization offers a historical context for understanding the life of Carolina Maria de Jesus. Kubitschek was consisted of just developing but it had its limits. There is a limit to the progress populism can have on the poor. The develop of the cities could not solve the problem of rural unskilled workers. His encouragement of foreign investment bought an, “automobile industry – the seventh largest producer in the world – but 69 percent of it was owned by foreigners.” (Charlip & Burns, p.254). Therefore, the profits would leave the country. The develop saw some improvements for people but poverty still prevailed because there was not a holistic approach. It saw job creation but not job training. It saw profits but not for the people of Brazil. The people were forced to build the slum or favelas as a result. (Charlip & Burns, p.254).
The Diary of Carolina Maria de Jesus, “Child of the Dark,” is a
powerful representation of slums in Brazil written between 1955 and 1960. The politics of poverty is a powerful theme within this novel. Carolina Maria de Jesus lived in the slums of Brazil with her three children. Her daily life consisted of collecting paper and metal scraps for food money. Her life is full of hunger, disease, violence and alcoholism. Her only consolation is writing and the occasional kindness from strangers. The fact that the slum changes everyone it touches is a reality that Carolina fully understands. She recognizes that a person can resist being dragged down by it only for so long. Her children come first no matter what romantic interests enter her life or personal struggles. The intervention of a journalist helps her realize her dream of being published. But even after her publication she will continue to struggle with the major themes the novel portrays like racism and hunger.
Caroline takes every opportunity that she can to participate in the political system. After she observe her leaders in congress she feels nothing but disgust. “‘No, my son, democracy is losing its followers. In our country, everything is weakening. The money is weak. Democracy is weak and the politicians are very weak. Everything that is weak dies on day.’” (Jesus & Clair, p.31). In response to the ignorance she sees from those in power, Caroline levels many critiques against the political system. “When a politician tells us in his speeches that he is on the side of the people, that he is only in politics in order to improve our living conditions, asking for our votes, promising to freeze prices, he is well aware that by touching on these grave problems he will win at the polls. Afterwards he divorces himself form the people. He looks at them with half-closed eyes, and with a pride that hurts us.” (Jesus & Clair, p.30). She believes that the political system contributes to the poverty and the hunger of those that live in the slums. To Caroline, Brazil’s President Juscelino is a bird in a cage, and the favela dwellers are hungry cats that may someday revolt against him if given the chance.
On a more day to day level, Carolina senses that she lives in a system that conspires against the poor. “…the people are not interested in elections. Our elections are just a Trojan Horse that appears once every four years.” (Jesus & Clair, p.36). Inflation is rampant, and prices for necessities can be absurd. She uses the metaphor of the Trojan Horse to depict the deception she feels the politicians have done to the poor. When Carolina watches a factory owner dump rotted food near the slum, she considers it an act of cruelty. Carolina also endures racial and class discrimination every time she ventures out of the slums and into the city of São Paulo.
“There are certain whites who transform blacks into whipping posts. Is this policeman aware of the fact that slavery has been abolished or does he think we are still in the era of the whip?” (Jesus & Clair, p.99). Carolina has been pushed down to the lowest to the low through societies deeming of her material status, illegitimate children, race and financial status. Carolina’s Brazil is not the only country subject to her political opinions. “North American are considered the most civilized. And they have not yet realized that discriminating against the blacks is like trying to discriminate against the sun. Man cannot fight against the products of Nature.” (Jesus & Clair, p.112). One can see throughout the novel about how race also plays a role in why she is poor. A sentiment she does not
understand. Carolina hold biases against the political establishment of the time due to her personal perspective. She is nearly in constant struggle to provide for herself and her children. She works all day every day to find paper and tin to sell and survive. She lives in a slum; her home is made of cardboard and scraps of wood. Many times, over she has seen promises made to her and the slum dwellers. Politicians will claim that they will abolish the slum or cut price but the promises are never kept. Through her writing one can see that she believes that the politicians only come to the slums for their vote. They will take but never give. Her personal interpretation of the event lead to her biases against the political establishment. Her life story directly encourages her bias about the political system being a ‘Trojan Horse’. It describes a malicious and calculated attempt to deceive the people. Regardless, Carolina is determined to rise out of her circumstance and provide a better life for her children. Carolina would never give up on her dream of being published. Though her story is tragic, she leaves us with hope. “I’ve been thinking of the problems I’ve had these days. I can take the ups and downs of life. If I can’t store up courage to live, I’ve resolved to store up patience.” (Jesus & Clair, p.10).