Literature: Symbolist and Parnassian | Traditional Summary
Contextualization
Symbolist and Parnassian literature are two literary movements that emerged in the late 19th century as reactions to the social, political, and cultural transformations of the time. Symbolism arose in France as a response to materialism and positivism, emphasizing subjectivity, mysticism, and the use of symbols to express emotions and states of mind. On the other hand, Parnassianism, also originating in France, valued art for art's sake, formal perfection, and objectivity, rejecting sentimentalism and subjectivism. These movements had a significant impact on Brazilian literature, influencing a generation of writers seeking new forms of expression and aesthetic rigor.
In Brazil, Symbolism and Parnassianism had their most notable representatives in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Brazilian Symbolism, with figures such as Cruz e Sousa and Alphonsus de Guimaraens, brought deep introspection and an intense use of images and symbols to explore themes like death, spirituality, and the unconscious. Meanwhile, Parnassianism, with authors like Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira, focused on the construction of meticulously polished verses and the pursuit of formal perfection, reflecting a vision of art that values technique and objectivity. Understanding these two literary currents is essential to appreciating the diversity and evolution of Brazilian literature during this period.
Symbolism
Symbolism was a literary movement that emerged as a response to the materialism and positivism of the late 19th century. This movement emphasized subjectivity, mysticism, and the use of symbols to express emotions and states of mind. The symbolist language is rich in dreamlike images and metaphors, seeking to evoke a sensory and emotional experience in the reader.
In Brazil, Symbolism had key representatives such as Cruz e Sousa and Alphonsus de Guimaraens. Cruz e Sousa, known as the 'Black Swan,' is the author of works like 'Broquéis' and 'Faróis,' which explore themes like death, transcendence, and spirituality through complex and symbolic language. Alphonsus de Guimaraens, in turn, is known for poems that address mystical and religious themes, such as in 'Setenário das Dores de Nossa Senhora.'
Brazilian Symbolism differentiated itself through the intense use of images and symbols to explore the unconscious and the depths of the human soul. Brazilian symbolists sought a more spiritual and intuitive connection with the reader, going beyond superficial appearances of reality to achieve a deeper and more transcendent truth. This movement represented a break with the rationalism and objectivity of previous literature, paving the way for new forms of literary expression.
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Use of dreamlike images and metaphors.
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Emphasis on subjectivity and mysticism.
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Main authors: Cruz e Sousa and Alphonsus de Guimaraens.
Parnassianism
Parnassianism was a literary movement that emerged as a reaction to Romanticism, seeking a more objective and technical art. This movement valued perfect form, technical rigor, and objectivity, rejecting sentimentalism and subjectivism. The concept of 'art for art's sake' was central to the Parnassians, who believed in creating poetry that was beautiful in its form, regardless of its emotional content.
In Brazil, Parnassianism had key representatives such as Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira. Olavo Bilac, known as the 'Prince of Brazilian Poets,' is the author of works like 'Poesias', where he demonstrates impressive technical mastery and clear, precise language. Alberto de Oliveira, in turn, is known for his ability to create meticulously polished verses, as seen in 'Sonetos e Poemas.'
Brazilian Parnassianism stood out for its tireless pursuit of formal perfection and technical rigor. Brazilian Parnassians dedicated themselves to polishing each verse, seeking a clear and objective language that reflected their vision of art. This movement represented a reaction against the sentimentalism and subjectivism of Romanticism, promoting a literature that valued technique and objectivity above all.
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Valuing perfect form and technical rigor.
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Rejection of sentimentalism and subjectivism.
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Main authors: Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira.
Comparison between Symbolism and Parnassianism
Symbolism and Parnassianism are literary movements that, despite being contemporary, present quite distinct characteristics. Symbolism emphasizes subjectivity, mysticism, and the use of symbols to express emotions and states of mind. In contrast, Parnassianism values perfect form, technical rigor, and objectivity, rejecting sentimentalism and subjectivism.
One of the main differences between these movements is their approach to poetic language. While symbolists utilize a language rich in dreamlike images and metaphors to evoke a sensory and emotional experience, Parnassians seek a clear and precise language, meticulously polished, that values technique and form. This difference can be observed in the works of their main representatives: Cruz e Sousa and Alphonsus de Guimaraens for Symbolism, and Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira for Parnassianism.
Despite the differences, both movements share the desire to break with previous literary conventions and explore new forms of expression. Symbolism and Parnassianism profoundly influenced Brazilian literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to the diversity and richness of literary productions during this period.
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Symbolism: subjectivity, mysticism, use of symbols.
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Parnassianism: perfect form, technical rigor, objectivity.
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Both movements sought to break with previous literary conventions.
Historical Context
The historical context of the late 19th century was marked by profound social, political, and cultural transformations that influenced the emergence of new literary movements, such as Symbolism and Parnassianism. This period was characterized by the advancement of industrialization, the rise of the bourgeoisie, and the development of the sciences and technologies, which brought significant changes in daily life and how people perceived the world.
Symbolism emerged in France as a response to the materialism and positivism of the time, which favored reason and objectivity over subjectivity and spirituality. The symbolists sought to reclaim the spiritual and emotional dimension of human experience, using symbols and metaphors to explore themes such as death, transcendence, and the unconscious. This movement found echo in Brazilian literature, where authors like Cruz e Sousa and Alphonsus de Guimaraens explored mystical and introspective themes.
On the other hand, Parnassianism, also originating in France, arose as a reaction to Romanticism, promoting a literature that valued perfect form, technical rigor, and objectivity. The Parnassians believed in 'art for art's sake', creating poetry that was beautiful in its form, irrespective of its emotional content. In Brazil, this movement was represented by authors like Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira, who sought clear and precise language and meticulous construction of verses.
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Social, political, and cultural transformations of the late 19th century.
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Symbolism: response to materialism and positivism, emphasis on subjectivity and spirituality.
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Parnassianism: reaction to Romanticism, valuing perfect form and objectivity.
To Remember
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Symbolism: A literary movement that emphasizes subjectivity, mysticism, and the use of symbols.
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Parnassianism: A literary movement that values perfect form, technical rigor, and objectivity.
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Cruz e Sousa: Principal representative of Symbolism in Brazil, author of 'Broquéis' and 'Faróis.'
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Alphonsus de Guimaraens: Brazilian symbolist known for mystical and religious poems.
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Olavo Bilac: Principal representative of Parnassianism in Brazil, author of 'Poesias.'
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Alberto de Oliveira: Brazilian Parnassian known for his ability to create polished verses.
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Art for Art's Sake: A central concept in Parnassianism that values artistic creation for its formal beauty, regardless of its emotional content.
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Dreamlike Images: A characteristic of Symbolism that uses images from dreams to evoke emotions and states of mind.
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Technical Rigor: A characteristic of Parnassianism that emphasizes precision and formal perfection in verse construction.
Conclusion
The lesson addressed the literary movements of Symbolism and Parnassianism, highlighting their characteristics, major authors, and historical context. Symbolism emphasizes subjectivity, mysticism, and the use of symbols, while Parnassianism values perfect form, technical rigor, and objectivity. Both movements significantly influenced Brazilian literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The main authors of Brazilian Symbolism include Cruz e Sousa and Alphonsus de Guimaraens, who explored themes such as death, spirituality, and the unconscious through a language rich in images and metaphors. In Parnassianism, Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira are central figures, known for their pursuit of formal perfection and the clarity and precision of poetic language.
Understanding these literary movements is essential for appreciating the diversity and evolution of Brazilian literature. The study of Symbolism and Parnassianism allows students to develop a critical eye on forms of art and understand how historical contexts influence literary production. I encourage students to explore more deeply the works and authors discussed to enrich their knowledge and literary appreciation.
Study Tips
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Read the poems of Cruz e Sousa, Alphonsus de Guimaraens, Olavo Bilac, and Alberto de Oliveira, paying attention to the characteristics of the literary movements they belong to.
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Research the historical context of the late 19th century to better understand the social, political, and cultural influences that shaped Symbolism and Parnassianism.
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Compare symbolist and parnassian poems, identifying the differences and similarities in terms of language, themes, and style.
