Literatura Brasileira II EAD - Cruz e Sousa

Summary

In this lecture, the speaker explores the literary movement of symbolism in Brazil, discussing its contrast with parnasianism and its influence on Brazilian poets, especially Cruz e Souza. The lecture highlights the complex relationship between these poetic movements and how Cruz e Souza's work blends elements of symbolism with themes of abolitionism and racial prejudice. The speaker also delves into Cruz e Souza's contributions to poetry, the significance of sensory imagery and musicality in his work, and how his poetry, once forgotten, was rediscovered by modernist writers. The lecture provides insight into the poet's life, struggles, and lasting impact on Brazilian literature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Symbolism, Parnassianism, Realism, and Naturalism were literary movements that occurred around the same time in Brazil, but with distinct characteristics, particularly in poetry.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza, a key figure in Brazilian Symbolism, was born in Florianópolis (formerly Desterro) and faced racial prejudice throughout his life, which influenced his work, especially his abolitionist stance.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza's intellectual background was heavily influenced by German literature and he engaged with the works of French Symbolists like Baudelaire, Mallarmé, and Verlaine.
• 😀 Symbolism in Brazil, introduced in the late 19th century, sought to oppose Parnassianism by focusing on art that transcended materialism, embracing spirituality and metaphysical exploration.
• 😀 The Symbolist poetry emphasized sensory experiences, with an aim to evoke feelings and ideas beyond the physical world, using symbols to represent the unseen and the metaphysical.
• 😀 Symbolist poets used techniques like repetition, rhythm, alliteration, and assonance to create musicality in their works, as seen in the poetry of Cruz e Souza and other Symbolists like Camilo Pessanha.
• 😀 The Symbolist movement critiqued positivism and scientific materialism, arguing that the arts should appeal to a deeper, more intuitive sense of reality and the metaphysical world.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza's works were often characterized by a strong sense of aestheticism, where form and musicality played key roles in conveying emotion and transcendent ideas.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza's career was marked by struggles, including racial prejudice and financial instability, but his poetry eventually gained recognition after his death, particularly through modernist rediscovery in the mid-20th century.
• 😀 Cruz e Souza's poetry included both Symbolist works, which were highly musical and abstract, and abolitionist poems that criticized the social injustices of slavery in Brazil, offering a complex view of his artistic legacy.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture provided in the script?

The main focus of the lecture is to discuss the Symbolist movement in Brazilian literature, specifically highlighting the life and work of Cruz e Souza, a key Symbolist poet, and how his poetry relates to broader literary movements such as Parnassianism, Realism, and Naturalism.

How did Cruz e Souza's background influence his poetry?

Cruz e Souza's background as a black poet from a family of former slaves deeply influenced his poetry. His experiences with racial prejudice and discrimination are evident in his works, which also reflect his involvement in the abolitionist movement.

What is the key difference between Parnassianism and Symbolism in poetry, as discussed in the lecture?

Parnassianism focuses on the pursuit of art for art's sake, with impassive descriptions of life and a formal, structured approach to poetry. In contrast, Symbolism emphasizes the suggestion of images and sensory experiences, aiming to evoke a deeper, metaphysical reality beyond the material world.

How does Symbolist poetry differ from the scientific and rational approaches of the time?

Symbolist poetry opposes the rationalism and scientific explanations of society, like positivism, which were prevalent during the late 19th century. It advocates for a new sensibility that is more subjective and spiritual, focusing on sensory impressions and metaphorical images to reach beyond the material world.

What are some stylistic features of Symbolist poetry?

Symbolist poetry is characterized by its emphasis on musicality, achieved through repetition, rhythm, and sound devices such as alliteration and assonance. It also focuses on sensory correspondences, where different sensory experiences are linked to evoke deeper emotional and metaphysical meanings.

How does Cruz e Souza's poetry reflect the Symbolist movement?

Cruz e Souza's poetry reflects Symbolism through its focus on suggestion rather than direct representation. His works often evoke a world beyond the material, using sensory imagery and sound to convey a sense of the metaphysical and transcendental.

What role does musicality play in Cruz e Souza’s poetry?

Musicality plays a significant role in Cruz e Souza’s poetry. He uses repetition, rhythm, and sound patterns to create a fluid, almost hypnotic effect, which enhances the emotional resonance of the poetry and aligns with the Symbolist emphasis on sensory and musical qualities.

What is the significance of the poem 'Antífona' in the context of Cruz e Souza's work?

'Antífona' is a key poem in Cruz e Souza's body of work that demonstrates his Symbolist approach. The poem uses visual and olfactory imagery, such as 'forms alvas' (white forms) and 'incensos dos turíbulos das aras' (incense of the censers on the altars), to evoke a sensory, metaphysical experience.

How did Cruz e Souza’s personal life affect his literary career?

Cruz e Souza’s personal life was marked by racial prejudice, poverty, and health struggles. He faced discrimination, even being prevented from becoming a promoter in his hometown, and his works did not gain widespread recognition during his lifetime. Despite this, his literary career influenced future generations of Brazilian poets.

Why was Cruz e Souza's work rediscovered in the 20th century, and who helped bring it to light?

Cruz e Souza's work was rediscovered in the 20th century due to scholarly efforts, particularly by Roger Bastid in 1943, who compared Cruz e Souza's work to that of French Symbolists like Mallarmé. This led to a re-evaluation of his poetry, particularly within the context of Modernism, where writers like Manuel Bandeira acknowledged his influence.