Simbolismo - Brasil Escola

Summary

In this literature class, Professor Mirele Costa introduces the Symbolism movement in Brazilian poetry. She contrasts it with Parnassianism, highlighting the Symbolist focus on spirituality, transcendence, and subjective emotion over reason and objectivity. The lecture explores the significance of sensory perception, musicality, and aliteration in Symbolist poems. Emphasis is placed on key poets like Cruz e Souza, known for his mystical and melancholic works, and Alphonsus de Guimaraens, whose poetry is deeply influenced by personal loss and religious faith. The session is insightful for understanding the unique characteristics of Symbolism and its cultural impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Symbolism is a literary movement that contrasts with Parnassianism, focusing on emotions, spirituality, and the senses rather than reason and objectivity.
• 😀 Symbolism emerged in response to the pessimistic social context of the late 19th century, marked by a crisis of optimism and the decline of positivism.
• 😀 A key element of Symbolism is transcendence, where poets seek to go beyond reality to connect with spirituality through their works.
• 😀 The use of sensory elements (sight, touch, taste) in Symbolist poetry helps convey the depth of human experience and emotion.
• 😀 Musicality is central to Symbolism, with techniques like alliteration used to create a flowing, almost melodic quality in poetry.
• 😀 Symbolist poets abandoned scientific rationalism in favor of mysticism, faith, and a more subjective, spiritual worldview.
• 😀 The Symbolist movement in Brazil was influenced by European 'poètes maudits' like Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Verlaine, and Rimbaud.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza, often regarded as the leader of Brazilian Symbolism, incorporated themes of spirituality, suffering, and the color white in his poetry.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza’s poetry is characterized by a sense of melancholia, spirituality, and suggested eroticism, as seen in his works 'Antífona' and 'Violões que Choram'.
• 😀 Another significant Brazilian Symbolist poet, Alphonsus de Guimaraens, focused on personal loss and the search for faith after the death of his fiancée, which is reflected in his poem 'Ismália'.

Q & A

What is the main difference between Symbolism and Parnassianism in literature?

The main difference is that while Parnassianism emphasizes reason, objectivity, and detachment, Symbolism focuses on the senses, emotions, and subjective experiences. Symbolists prioritize transcendence and spirituality over realistic depictions of the world.

What historical context influenced the rise of the Symbolist movement?

The Symbolist movement arose at the end of the 19th century during a period of social crisis and pessimism. The optimism from earlier revolutions gave way to a more reflective and cynical view of the world, which Symbolist poets responded to by exploring deeper spiritual and subjective realms.

What is the key concept that defines Symbolist poetry?

The key concept in Symbolist poetry is *transcendence*. Poets aim to transcend the material world through their work, seeking spiritual and mystical experiences that go beyond the mundane and rational aspects of life.

How do Symbolist poets use sensory experiences in their poetry?

Symbolist poets often focus on sensory elements such as touch, sight, and taste to convey subjective emotions and experiences. This emphasis on the senses helps to evoke a more intimate and personal connection to the poem's themes.

How does the use of musicality manifest in Symbolist poetry?

Musicality in Symbolist poetry is achieved through the repetition of sounds, especially through alliteration. This creates a fluid, rhythmic quality in the poetry that mirrors the emotional and subjective content the poets wish to convey.

What role does faith and spirituality play in Symbolist poetry?

Faith and spirituality are central to Symbolist poetry. Poets seek a higher understanding of life through spiritual exploration, abandoning scientific and positivist views in favor of a more mystical worldview that reflects their personal quests for meaning and transcendence.

What is the significance of the color white in Cruz e Souza's poetry?

The color white is a recurring motif in Cruz e Souza's poetry, symbolizing purity, suffering, and spiritual transcendence. The poet's obsession with white can be linked to his personal experiences with racial prejudice and the hardships faced by his family.

What are the main themes explored in Cruz e Souza's poetry?

Cruz e Souza's poetry explores themes of suffering, racial prejudice, spirituality, and transcendence. His work often reflects a mystical view of the world, marked by a sense of melancholic beauty and a focus on the spiritual over the material.

How does the poem 'Ismália' by Alphonsus de Guimarães illustrate the Symbolist theme of transcendence?

'Ismália' reflects the Symbolist theme of transcendence through its depiction of the protagonist's journey between the spiritual and material worlds. The poem contrasts the soul's desire to reach the moon in the sky with the body’s connection to the sea, symbolizing the tension between the spiritual and the physical realms.

What influence did European poets have on the Brazilian Symbolists?

European poets such as Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Verlaine, and Rimbaud, known as 'poetas malditos,' had a significant influence on Brazilian Symbolist poets. Their works inspired Brazilian writers like Cruz e Souza and Alphonsus de Guimarães to explore similar themes of spirituality, mysticism, and the rejection of social realism.