(French Belle É Poque Pig Postcards)

This image represents “It Was A Different Day When They Killed The Pig” by João Ubaldo Riberio because, it depicts the cultural significance of a pig rather than just it’s obvious aesthetic and use. This idea is illustrated by a collage of different French cities within the body frame of a pig, and although this is not of Brazilian descent it does depict how one nation such as Brazil or France can be invested into the body/value of a pig. During the 1900s these cities were among the most popular in pork production. Similar to the story as it showcases much more than the death of pigs, but rather a boy becoming a man. Because, during the 1900s France was just recovering from the Industrial Revolution where many underage children had to work full time factory jobs to support their families. For many young men this was a coming of age experience as oftentimes it would continue on into their adult years. Reflecting the story’s character Aloisio as the slaughtering of the pig was a coming of age moment for him although not in terms of a job but this would be a practice he would be expected to carry out within his later years as it is a “man’s job”. 

This painting titled “Peasants Slaughtering A Pig” by Pieter Brueghel (after 1616), relates to “It Was A Different Day When They Killed The Pig” by João Ubaldo Riberio, within its stereotypical representation of gender roles. For example in the text Riberio stated “For, since he was a man, his wife would surely expect him to know how to kill the pig, like her mother before her and the mother of her mother and all the other mothers, this being the way the world is organized“ (188). The idea was that women were domestic laborers whilst men were the more innovative rural laborers, and that was an unspoken rule that seemed to be set in stone. And this painting showcases that idea perfectly as you can observe what seems to be children gazing off at the side. Whilst the women are preparing the meal or in the house, then oppositely it’s the men with the tools as well as killing the animals.

This song can be associated with “It Was A Different Day When They Killed The Pig” by João Ubaldo Riberio, if one were to hypothetically speak and if this story had to be portrayed as a film. This would be the perfect background theme song not only because of its ironic name which is “Slow Cooking” by Peter Godfrey, but because it embodies musically what could be a perfect Sunday in Brazil even without uttering any words. If this were to be a scene, it would portray how Aloisio’s day originally started out as it would set the mood allowing the viewer to gain gradual interest. Furthermore, as the story progressed and the pig was being killed this theme song would probably come to a streaking halt as the mood would no longer be chill.