Political Conflict, Violence and Denunciation: Women as “Protagonists of Resentment” in the North-east of Brazil

This article is concerned with a good example of the forms of mediation that have taken place during political conflict in the north east of Brazil, observing how they have been integrated both into the private and public spheres. The situation highlights the symbolic efficacy of practices and meanings that were constructed during a campaign for justice and which moved from the “world family” and the “political sphere” into the local, national and indeed international public spheres, particularly through the work of the media. The mobilization against violence showed how feelings formed part of the policy. Women appeared there as guardians of symbolic goods. They allowed the transformation of resentment and indignation in protests, while avoiding traditional roles dictated by honour or revenge. The various forms of family actions thus fitted into a symbolic field with multiple paths within it. Feelings entered deeply into the public sphere, shaping obligatory rituals of solidarity, as well as requirements for punishment and opposition. Feelings can thus carry concurrent visions of the world, and so can contribute in explaining what is happening behind the scenes in forming policies.