The Beginning and Development of a Slum - Essay Example

This is manifested by a fight between Rita and Piedade, which leads to a brawl among Brazilian and Portuguese mobs. This is interrupted by the arrival and threat of invasion from another gang of the nearby slum (Azevedo, 158).

A slum becomes a suitable habitat for those who are immigrants, poor, drug addicts, and the like. The slum increasingly becomes a dangerous place to live in as the number of people increases. Azevedo portrayed how diverse ethnic groups such as Italians, Portuguese, Blacks, Amerindians, and more interact with one another (Azevedo 5). The growing number of inhabitants and absence of established laws facilitate the commission of crimes and illegal activities. “The slum” chronicles how Jeronimo fell in love with Rita; however, Rita already has a mulatto lover. This has impelled Jeronimo to kill Firmo, Rita’s lover. Firmo was beaten like a mouse by three assailants without fear of being punished or apprehended until he succumbed to death (Azevedo, 146). Inhabitants of the slum also became easily associated or introduced to illegal activities. “The slum” demonstrated how Pombinha was influenced by Leonie to be a call girl. In addition, inequality between men and women is prevalent in the slum as depicted by the relationship between Joao Romao and Bertoleza (Azevedo, 2).