NÓS MATAMOS O CÃO TINHOSO | Luís Bernardo Honwana | Resumo e análise | Obras literárias da FUVEST

Summary

The video script discusses 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso,' a collection of short stories by Mozambican author Luiz Bernardo Rolona, set against the backdrop of African decolonization. It delves into the significance of studying African Portuguese literature, influenced by a shared colonial past with Brazil. The stories, often narrated by children, explore themes of oppression and resistance, using metaphors like the titular 'cão tinhoso' to symbolize the colonizer. Rolona's use of simple language and local dialects aims to engage the masses and incite reflection on the struggle for independence, encapsulating the spirit of the times.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture discusses 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso', a collection of short stories by Mozambican author Luiz Bernardo Rolona, recommended for the Fuvest entrance exam.
• 🌍 The study of African literature in Portuguese is significant due to the shared language and historical colonial ties between Brazil and Portuguese-speaking African countries.
• 💬 The script highlights the impact of Modernism on African literature, which led to a break from Europeanized language and models, fostering a unique literary identity.
• ✍️ Luiz Bernardo Rolona was actively involved in FRELIMO, the Mozambican liberation front, and his experiences influenced his writing, particularly his first book released at the age of 22.
• 🔍 The book's original edition contained seven short stories, but newer editions include an eighth story, although it is less analyzed due to its structural and thematic differences.
• 🌐 A central theme of the book is the oppression of the colonizer, with various metaphors representing the colonized people and their struggles.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The characters in the stories react differently to oppression, with some being reactive and others exhibiting passivity, reflecting the range of responses to colonization.
• 📖 'Dina' is a story that illustrates the passivity of Africans towards colonizers, where the character Madala accepts the oppressive situation without resistance.
• 👦 'As Mãos dos Pretos' is a story that questions the racist and absurd explanations for why the palms of Black people's hands are white, with a mother providing a powerful counter-narrative.
• 🐕 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso' is a story that uses the metaphor of a timid old dog to represent either the oppressed or the colonizer, with the narrative suggesting the need for the youth to fight against colonial oppression.
• 🔧 The language of the book is simple and includes local dialects, reflecting the author's intention to reach a broad audience and inspire action during the independence wars in Mozambique.

Q & A

What is the title of the book discussed in the script?

The title of the book discussed is 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso' by Mozambican author Luiz Bernardo Rolona.

Why is African literature in Portuguese studied in Brazil?

African literature in Portuguese is studied in Brazil because of the shared language and historical colonial ties with Portugal. The study also reflects the influence of African writers on Brazilian literature, especially after the modernist movement which encouraged a break from Europeanized literary models.

What significant change occurred in African literature due to modernism?

Modernism in African literature led to a break from Europeanized language and classical models, resulting in a literature with a unique style and identity.

How did the process of independence differ between Brazil and African colonies?

Brazil's independence was relatively peaceful, proclaimed by Dom Pedro I, whereas African colonies experienced a more violent and prolonged struggle for independence, often involving armed conflict and civil war.

What is the significance of the title 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso'?

The title 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso' translates to 'We Killed the Lousy Dog' and is symbolic of the need to fight against colonial oppression, with the 'lousy dog' representing the colonizer.

What is the main theme of the stories in the book 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso'?

The main theme of the stories is the oppression by the colonizer, with various metaphors representing the colonized people and their reactions to this oppression.

How does the character Madala in the story 'Dina' respond to the oppression faced by him and his daughter?

Madala, the character in 'Dina', responds to oppression with passivity and acceptance, choosing not to fight against the overseer who commits violence against his daughter.

What is the explanation given by the mother in the story 'As Mãos dos Pretos' for the white palms of black people's hands?

The mother in 'As Mãos dos Pretos' explains that God made the hands of black and white people the same to show that work should be equal for all, and that the white palms are a result of black people being enslaved to do the work of whites.

What are the two interpretations of the 'cão tinhoso' in the story 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso'?

The 'cão tinhoso' can be interpreted as either the colonized and oppressed, symbolized by its pitiful and mistreated state, or as the colonizer, as suggested by its old, scarred skin and the fact that it does nothing but leech off the community.

How does the character Ginho react when he is forced to participate in killing the 'cão tinhoso'?

Ginho is initially reluctant and is pressured by the other boys to take part. He misses the shot when he closes his eyes to fire, and later, after Isaura defends the dog, he removes her and allows the other boys to kill the animal.

What is the message conveyed by the story 'Nós Matamos o Cão Tinhoso' regarding the youth and colonial oppression?

The story suggests that it is the youth who must take up arms and fight against colonial oppression, as the older generation and those in power are unwilling or unable to act against the colonizer.