Doidinho

Abstract

The protagonist, Carlos de Melo, nicknamed Doidinho, is a descendant of a wealthy family that owns a sugar mill. The story takes place when he is sent to study at the Nossa Senhora do Carmo Institute, a school in Itabaiana. The principal and owner of the school, Mr. Maciel, is known for using violent methods to maintain discipline among the students. Doidinho, only 12 years old, faces a life completely different from the one he knew on the farm. He gets used to the difficult learning process, feels the first stirrings of love for a classmate and forms bonds of sincere friendship. At the same time, he contemplates the sordid nature and behavior of some of his classmates. The book shows Doidinho's inner transformation as he deals with punishments, setbacks in learning and injustices. When he returns to the farm for the holidays, he already carries with him the patches of this transformation. He observes the disposition of the social fabric better and realizes that life is full of flaws, mistakes, weaknesses and fears.