O Cortiço, de Aluísio Azevedo

Summary

In this engaging video lecture, the host explores Aluísio Azevedo's *O Cortiço*, a cornerstone of Brazilian naturalist literature. The narrative focuses on the lives of four distinct couples, including João Romão and Bertoleza, and their struggles within the collective space of a tenement. Through the analysis of these relationships, the video examines social class, human behavior, and the influence of genetics, environment, and historical context. Themes like sexual morality, exploitation, and societal norms of the 19th century are addressed, offering viewers a deep dive into Azevedo's vivid portrayal of Rio de Janeiro's urban landscape. The video also recommends watching the 1978 film adaptation, though encourages readers to experience the novel itself for its rich complexity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Aluísio Azevedo, the author of 'O Cortiço,' was born in Maranhão and later moved to Rio de Janeiro during a time of significant social changes, such as the abolition of slavery and the proclamation of the Republic.
• 😀 'O Cortiço' is considered the peak of Azevedo's naturalist style in Brazilian literature, where the author uses the communal dwelling of a cortiço to explore the lives of its diverse inhabitants.
• 😀 The central theme of 'O Cortiço' is the social division of classes in Rio de Janeiro during the late 19th century, with the cortiço serving as a microcosm of Brazilian society.
• 😀 Azevedo’s descriptive style in 'O Cortiço' often uses zoomorphism, likening human characters to animals, to emphasize their primal instincts and behavior.
• 😀 The naturalist perspective of 'O Cortiço' is influenced by 19th-century scientific theories, particularly determinism, which suggests that people's behavior is shaped by their genetics, environment, and historical context.
• 😀 The characters in 'O Cortiço' are depicted as products of their environment, with limited psychological depth, unlike the idealized figures of Romanticism or the deeply analyzed characters of Realism.
• 😀 The story of 'O Cortiço' is populated with four key couples, each reflecting different aspects of the social dynamics of the time, including issues of exploitation, class mobility, and relationships.
• 😀 The first couple, João Romão and Bertoleza, exemplify the exploitation of women, with João Romão using Bertoleza’s earnings to buy the land for the cortiço, while also manipulating her trust.
• 😀 The second couple, Miranda and Dona Estela, represent a marriage of convenience based on social status and wealth, with no real love between them. Their story highlights social facades and materialism.
• 😀 The third couple, Jerônimo and Piedade, are portrayed as a loving, traditional Portuguese couple whose peaceful life is disrupted by the arrival of Rita Baiana, whose sexual allure causes Jerônimo to become infatuated with her, leading to personal tragedy.
• 😀 Sexuality is a prominent theme in 'O Cortiço,' with characters like Pombinha and Albino representing homosexuality in a time of societal intolerance, while other characters navigate issues like adultery and prostitution.
• 😀 The social dynamics in 'O Cortiço' reflect the complexity of 19th-century Rio de Janeiro, with themes of class struggle, sexuality, and human behavior driven by the environment and societal pressures.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lesson in the video?

The lesson focuses on the novel 'O Cortiço' by Aluísio Azevedo, emphasizing four couples that represent smaller stories within the larger narrative of the cortiço, a collective housing space.

How does the author, Aluísio Azevedo, depict the cortiço in the first chapter of the book?

Azevedo describes the cortiço as a living organism, emphasizing its muddy, hot, and damp environment, comparing it to larvae emerging from manure, symbolizing the growth of a new social order.

What is the naturalistic style in 'O Cortiço' and how does it manifest?

The naturalistic style in 'O Cortiço' is characterized by the depiction of human beings as driven by instincts, with little depth in their psychological portrayal. It shows characters influenced by their genetics, environment, and social circumstances.

What is 'zoomorphism' in 'O Cortiço' and how is it used?

Zoomorphism is the technique of attributing animal characteristics to humans. In 'O Cortiço,' Azevedo uses it to describe characters like Velho Libório, who is depicted as hiding in a hole and eating with his jaws, emphasizing the animalistic traits of the characters.

Who is João Romão and what is his relationship with Bertoleza?

João Romão is the owner of the cortiço, a businessman who exploits Bertoleza, a slave woman. They live together as a couple, but João Romão takes advantage of Bertoleza's work and money, even using her savings to buy the land for the cortiço.

What is the significance of the couple Miranda and Dona Estela?

Miranda and Dona Estela represent a marriage of convenience. Miranda, a businessman, marries Estela, a member of the aristocracy, for her dowry. Their relationship lacks love, and Miranda tolerates Estela's infidelity to maintain his financial status.

How do the characters Jerônimo and Piedade's relationship differ from that of Firmo and Rita Baiana?

Jerônimo and Piedade have a stable, loving relationship, while Firmo and Rita Baiana are not officially a couple. Their relationship is based on carnal desire, with Rita Baiana being a free-spirited character and Firmo a malandro who lives for pleasure.

What social commentary does Azevedo make through the relationship of Jerônimo and Piedade?

Jerônimo and Piedade represent the stability of traditional relationships, but their lives are disrupted by external forces, showing how social and environmental conditions, such as living in the cortiço, can lead to dramatic changes in character and behavior.

What role does sexuality play in 'O Cortiço'?

Sexuality is a central theme in 'O Cortiço,' with characters engaging in prostitution, adultery, and homosexual relationships. These acts are depicted as either a social necessity or a source of conflict, reflecting the societal norms and views on sexuality in 19th-century Brazil.

Who are some of the marginalized characters in 'O Cortiço' and how are they portrayed?

Marginalized characters such as Pombinha, who engages in a lesbian romance, and Albino, an effeminate homosexual, represent the societal rejection of non-heteronormative sexualities. Additionally, characters like Paula, the 'witch,' and Libório, who lives in poverty despite being wealthy, highlight the social inequality and mental instability present in the cortiço.