Why is Bom-Crioulo considered a landmark of Brazilian naturalism?

Bom-Crioulo (1895), written by Adolfo Caminha, is considered a landmark of Brazilian naturalism for two primary reasons: its focus on a Black protagonist and its candid, open treatment of homosexuality.1

As a work within the naturalist school, the novel reflects the movement's tendency to depict the violent and unseemly aspects of urban life through the lens of human passions. By centering the narrative on these themes, Caminha contributed to the broader naturalist tradition in Brazil, which often utilized literature to explore the darker, more visceral realities of society.1