RESENHA: Amar, verbo intransitivo, de Mário de Andrade | por Ana Lis Soares

Summary

In this video, Ana Alice Soares delves into Mário de Andrade's groundbreaking novel *Amar Verbo Intransitivo*, exploring its themes, narrative style, and social commentary. She highlights Andrade's use of colloquial Brazilian language and its departure from traditional European-influenced writing. The novel's exploration of Brazilian identity, juxtaposed with European culture through characters like Frozen, a German woman, invites reflection on love, social norms, and hypocrisy in early 20th-century Brazilian society. Ana also examines how the novel's irony and critique of societal expectations, especially concerning the 'idealized' notion of love, make it a timeless and thought-provoking work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mário de Andrade's novel *Amar Verbo Intransitivo* was his first published novel, written in the context of the first phase of Brazilian modernism, breaking away from previous literary traditions.
• 😀 The novel focuses on the theme of love but presents it in an ironic and unconventional way, challenging traditional views on relationships and affection.
• 😀 Andrade’s work is marked by a break from formal, elevated language in favor of colloquial, oral language that reflects Brazilian identity, distancing itself from European influences.
• 😀 The book contrasts the concept of Brazilian identity with foreign cultures, particularly through the character of Frozen, a German woman who brings an outsider’s perspective to Brazilian life.
• 😀 *Amar Verbo Intransitivo* explores the hypocrisy of society, particularly within the context of family dynamics and social expectations surrounding sexuality and love.
• 😀 The novel critiques the role of social class and gender in shaping relationships, focusing on the manipulation and objectification of women in a patriarchal society.
• 😀 A key element of Andrade’s narrative style is the use of irony, which is evident in the way the book explores the theme of 'idealized' love, which is ultimately shown to be a hollow, constructed concept.
• 😀 The setting of São Paulo is crucial to the novel, reflecting the rapid urbanization and industrialization of the city during the 1920s and its impact on modern Brazilian society.
• 😀 The protagonist, Frozen, is hired to teach a young boy, Carlos, about love, but her profession, which blurs the line between affection and exploitation, challenges societal taboos.
• 😀 The novel's use of the term 'intransitive verb' in the title reflects the idea that love, in Frozen's view, does not transfer between individuals but rather exists as an abstract concept, further adding to the book's ironic and critical tone.

Q & A

Who is the author of the novel 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo' and what are some of his other roles?

The author of 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo' is Mário de Andrade, a Brazilian writer, poet, musicologist, photographer, and literary critic. He is known for his contributions to modernist literature in Brazil.

What is the central theme of Mário de Andrade's novel 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo'?

The central theme of the novel revolves around the concept of love, particularly the exploration of love as an intransitive verb, which challenges conventional ideas of love as a reciprocal or directional emotion. The novel also critiques societal hypocrisy and the tensions between different cultural identities.

How does 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo' reflect the modernist movement in Brazil?

The novel reflects the modernist movement by breaking away from traditional literary conventions, such as formal language and structure. Mário de Andrade uses colloquial language, indigenous Brazilian words, and informal punctuation to challenge established norms and promote a new form of artistic expression.

What role does the city of São Paulo play in Mário de Andrade's works?

São Paulo plays a significant role in Mário de Andrade's works, particularly in his depiction of urbanization and modernization. The city is portrayed as a symbol of industrial growth and the changing dynamics of Brazilian society during the 1920s, which is reflected in his characters and their interactions.

What is the relationship between Frozen and the Brazilian family in 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo'?

Frozen, a German woman hired as a 'teacher of love,' works for a Brazilian family, teaching their son Carlos about love. However, her role in the family becomes complex as she engages in a relationship with Carlos, which raises issues of societal hypocrisy, machismo, and family dynamics.

What does the title 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo' signify?

The title 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo' refers to the grammatical concept of the intransitive verb 'amar' (to love), which does not require a direct object. The novel challenges conventional notions of love, presenting it as something that exists without direction or reciprocity, as represented by the character Frozen.

How does Mário de Andrade critique societal norms in 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo'?

Mário de Andrade critiques societal norms by exposing the hypocrisy of traditional family structures and the commodification of love. The novel portrays how upper-class families manipulate love and relationships to maintain social status, highlighting the tension between public morality and private behavior.

What role does irony play in 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo'?

Irony is a key tool used by Mário de Andrade to critique social conventions. He uses irony to expose the absurdity of societal norms and the characters' actions, particularly in how Frozen views love and her role in teaching it. The irony also underscores the contradictions within the family dynamics and their moral pretensions.

What does Frozen's profession as a 'teacher of love' symbolize in the novel?

Frozen's profession as a 'teacher of love' symbolizes the commercialization and idealization of love in society. Her work reflects a distorted view of love, where it is treated as a teachable skill rather than an organic, mutual emotion. This role also highlights the hypocrisy and social manipulation present in the family she works for.

How does the theme of national identity and culture emerge in 'Amar Verbo Intransitivo'?

The theme of national identity and culture is explored through the contrast between Brazilian and European (particularly German) cultural values. Frozen, a German character, represents an outsider's perspective on Brazil, and her interactions with the Brazilian family reveal the tensions between national identity and foreign influences in early 20th-century Brazil.