Dialogic literary talk in prison: a Freirean educational experience for humanization

Abstract

The article herein aims to disseminate the results of a university extension and research project carried out between 2018 and 2019 at a prison unit in the countryside of Minas Gerais, a state in Brazil. The project focused on the development of an action called Dialogic Literary Talk, which involves reading classic works of the universal literature, and also the proposed dialogue based on those readings directed to individuals in deprivation of freedom. The study had as its theoretical framework the dialogic perspective of learning, especially based on Paulo Freire’s oeuvre, and it was guided by a field research with a qualitative approach. The instruments used for data collection were field diaries and the recording of the participants’ speeches in the literary talks, which were held weekly. As a result, the reading of words was evidenced as the enabler to the reading of the world through dialogue. By discussing the texts, the individuals were able to denounce their oppressive reality (absence of basic rights, injustice, disrespect, privileges of some groups, prejudice, discrimination) and also to announce new perspectives (to do the right thing, to change themselves and their reality, to overcome challenges) in a movement towards awareness and hope. In addition, the literary talks led to the emergence of broader reflections on the prison system and the need for progressive and humanizing educational policies for that context.