mulheres para muito além do figurino: as divorciadas gaúchas dos séculos xviii e xix

This article presents ananalyses based on an empirical studywhich aims to discuss the process ofsecularization of marital relationshipsin the Rio Grande do Sul, during theperiod comprised between 1766 and1890. A special focus is placed on theanalyses/examination of some processof divorce proposed by women fromthe countryside of Rio Grande do Sul.It enables to understand somequestions related to the formation,constitution and development of the“gaúcha’s” society, especially when itexamines small localities-structured astraditional rural society. Finally, it showsthe evolution of the maritalrelationships in the Rio Grande do Sul,based on an first moment in thepatrimonial alliances to the system ofunions established through the prismof sexuality, also present in thenowadays society.