Masculinities and violence against feminilities in criminal cases of homicides in Irati-PR, 1899-1930

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the masculinities outlined by the judiciary in criminal homicides cases during the First Republic in Irati-PR, Brazil. Utilizing the criminal records housed at the Centro de Documentação e Memória da Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste do Paraná, we focus on cases where defendants were accused of murdering or injuring women. The research seeks to comprehend the motivations behind these facts by examining the discourses presented to the judges, particularly in light of the theoretical considerations of Stephen M. Whitehead. The analysis of the cases reveals that the accused often committed the murders in response to situations that tarnished their honor, notably in cases of marital betrayal, refusal to reconcile relationships, and provocation by the victims. When justifying these acts in court, lawyers commonly invoked the argument of the complete deprivation/disturbance of the defendants' senses, a strategy that found acceptance in the Jury Court, indicating a shared set of values between the court and the accused. We conclude that violence against women was discursively legitimized, contributing to the consolidation of asymmetrical gender relations.