The symbolic meaning of the title 'Palmares.'
The title 'Palmares' is symbolic because it represents freedom. There are about 20,000 in Palmares. All these people ran away from their enslavers, and they governed themselves. Unfortunately, Palmares is later destroyed, and the people are left scattered and exposed to great danger.
The symbolism of sadism
Sadism is symbolized by the evil plans of Entralgo, the plantation owner where Almeyda is enslaved. Entralgo is a sadist, and he secretly plans to hand over Almeyda to a man looking for a black virgin's blood to heal his strange disease. Entralgo does not care about the damage and trauma that Almeyda will suffer from such an act. Luckily, Almeyda's mother overhears the plan and gives Almeyda a herb that locks her birth canal to prevent physical rape. When the man comes to rape her, he is shocked to realize that the girl’s birth canal cannot be entered.
The symbolism of human suffering
Almeyda's journeys symbolize suffering in search of freedom. For instance, the author indicates that Almeyda meets people from various backgrounds suffering, like her, searching for freedom. Similarly, the evils of colonialism in Brazil are evident as people are enslaved in their lands by the white settlers. Human suffering is also depicted by Almeyda's life on the plantation owned by Entralgo while she was growing up. The plantation owner mistreated Almeyda and her mother, and at some points, Entralgo gave her to a stranger who tried to rape her.
Father Tollinare as a symbol of hope
The author figuratively uses Father Tollinare as a symbol of hope for the enslaved children. The pries dedicated his time to teaching enslaved children how to read, write and speak. Almeyda's education is attributed to the good work done by father Tollinare. The children hope that with proper education, they will escape slavery.
The symbolism of the evils of slavery
The life of Almeyda symbolizes the evils of slavery. Almeyda served the whole of her life as an enslaved person, starting when she was still a young girl. The author shows how Almeyda is sold to different plantation owners who misuse her, and others even exchange her for rape. After arriving in Palmares, the fugitive home for free slaves is destroyed, and most of them recaptured. Therefore, the life of Almeyda is full of misery, and she is a perfect symbol for human suffering and the evils of slavery.
