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How did Brazilian Modernists use colloquial speech and folklore in their writing?
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Modernist literature
American writer Gertrude Stein was a self-styled genius who coined the term Lost Generation for a younger coterie of her fellow Modernist writers.
Brazilian Modernists utilized colloquial speech and folklore as essential tools to break away from traditional Portuguese academicism and establish an authentic national identity. By rejecting the constraints of "correct" Portuguese, they sought to reflect the actual, lived language of the Brazilian people.123
Key approaches included:
- Colloquial Language: Writers like Mário de Andrade and Carlos Drummond de Andrade employed Brazilian colloquialisms and unconventional syntax to create a more direct, "interested" art that could resonate with the public. Manuel Bandeira was a pioneer in this regard, introducing everyday speech and "trivial" topics into his poetry to challenge formal lyricism.23
- Folklore and Native Themes: Modernists viewed the study of the past and folklore as a means to define a singular, heterogeneous national culture. Mário de Andrade, who was also a dedicated folklorist and musicologist, incorporated these elements into his work, most notably in his novel Macunaíma, which juxtaposes the diverse ethnic and regional identities of Brazil.23
Ultimately, these stylistic innovations were not pursued as ends in themselves, but as a necessary foundation for social and cultural reform.1