Os sertões | Análise literária - Brasil Escola

Summary

In this insightful video, Elissa, a literature professor, discusses the complexity and significance of Euclides da Cunha's monumental work *Os Sertões*. She highlights the historical context of the book, its blend of literary, historical, and journalistic discourse, and its depiction of the War of Canudos. Elissa explores how the book uses various scientific, sociological, and philosophical approaches to examine the harsh realities of the Brazilian Sertão, and the resilient sertanejo people. She emphasizes the book’s lasting impact on Brazilian literature and its relevance in understanding the country’s complex identity and history.

Takeaways

• 😀 The work 'Os Sertões' by Euclides da Cunha is complex and monumental, offering deep insights into Brazilian history and culture.
• 😀 Published in 1902, 'Os Sertões' captures the transition from the 19th to the 20th century, reflecting both intellectual and historical shifts.
• 😀 The book is contextualized in the Pre-Modernism movement, highlighting themes of identity, national struggles, and breaking away from conservative artistic norms.
• 😀 Euclides da Cunha blends literary, historical, and journalistic discourses, examining the War of Canudos and its social, cultural, and political implications.
• 😀 The author was initially commissioned to report on the war but later realized that a deeper understanding required firsthand experience.
• 😀 'Os Sertões' is not only a literary work but also serves as a historical document, providing an early foundation for future Brazilian historians.
• 😀 The narrative of 'Os Sertões' is divided into three parts: 'A Terra' (The Land), 'O Homem' (The Man), and 'A Luta' (The Struggle), each focusing on different aspects of the Brazilian sertanejo (backcountry) and their conditions.
• 😀 The book uses a deterministic lens, suggesting that environmental conditions significantly shape human character, as seen in the study of the sertanejo's resilience.
• 😀 Euclides da Cunha’s background in engineering influences the technical and scientific language used throughout the work, challenging readers to engage deeply with the text.
• 😀 'Os Sertões' explores contradictions within Brazil, such as the tension between progress and tradition, and the struggles of the sertanejo as a symbol of a timeless Brazil, disconnected from the modernizing nation.

Q & A

What is the significance of *Os Sertões* in Brazilian literature?

*Os Sertões* is a monumental work in Brazilian literature because it provides an in-depth exploration of the War of Canudos while addressing broader themes like Brazilian identity, the conflict between rural and urban life, and the resilience of the Sertanejo. It is a unique blend of literary, historical, and scientific discourse.

Why is *Os Sertões* considered a complex work?

The complexity of *Os Sertões* arises from its blending of various discourses: literary, historical, journalistic, scientific, and sociological. This mixture of genres challenges readers to engage with the text in multiple ways and requires a deep understanding of both the historical context and the intellectual currents of the time.

What are the three main parts of *Os Sertões*, and what do they focus on?

*Os Sertões* is divided into three parts: 'A Terra' (The Land), which focuses on the geography and harsh conditions of the Sertão; 'O Homem' (The Man), which explores the anthropology and sociology of the Sertanejo; and 'A Luta' (The Struggle), which examines the historical context of the War of Canudos.

How does Euclides da Cunha blend different academic disciplines in *Os Sertões*?

Euclides da Cunha blends scientific discourse, particularly determinism, with literary and sociological analysis. The work also incorporates historical and anthropological perspectives, making it a multidisciplinary examination of the War of Canudos and Brazilian society.

What is the concept of determinism in *Os Sertões*, and how does it apply to the Sertanejo?

Determinism in *Os Sertões* suggests that the environment shapes human nature. The harsh conditions of the Sertão are said to have molded the Sertanejo into a resilient, enduring figure, capable of surviving extreme adversity. This reflects the idea that one's environment can determine one's character and fate.

What role does the War of Canudos play in the book, and why is it significant?

The War of Canudos is central to *Os Sertões* as it represents a crucial moment in Brazilian history. It showcases the clash between the traditional rural life of the Sertão and the modernization efforts of the Brazilian government. The war also symbolizes the broader conflicts in Brazil during the transition from monarchy to republic.

How does Euclides da Cunha view the relationship between science and art in *Os Sertões*?

Euclides da Cunha successfully integrates science and art, presenting them as complementary rather than opposing forces. He blends a scientific, almost clinical, approach with the emotional depth and poetic nature of art, reflecting the complex reality of the Sertão and the human condition.

Why is *Os Sertões* still relevant to contemporary readers?

Despite being published over a century ago, *Os Sertões* remains relevant because it offers profound insights into Brazilian history, culture, and identity. Its exploration of the resilience of the Sertanejo and the challenges of modernity in Brazil continues to resonate with readers today.

How does Euclides da Cunha critique the process of civilization and progress in Brazil?

Euclides da Cunha critiques the idea of progress by showing how it often marginalizes those who do not conform to urban, modern ideals. The Sertanejo, representing a different form of wisdom and culture, is excluded from this progress, revealing the contradictions and inequalities within Brazilian society.

What literary qualities make *Os Sertões* an epic work?

The epic qualities of *Os Sertões* come from its grand narrative, historical significance, and the portrayal of the Sertanejo as a heroic figure. The work elevates the individual's struggle against harsh conditions to the level of myth, making the text both a historical account and a literary epic.