Urupês

work by Monteiro Lobato

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July 14, 2026

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Urupês is a collection of short stories by Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato, first published in 1918. The work is significant for introducing the character Jeca Tatu, who became a symbol of the Brazilian backlander, representing their backwardness and apathy. Lobato used Jeca Tatu to highlight the neglect and poor conditions of the rural populations in Brazil's interior.12

Urupês is considered a precursor to the Brazilian Modernist movement, which officially began in 1922. Lobato's realistic and critical portrayal of Brazilian society, particularly its rural aspects, paved the way for later literary explorations of national identity and social issues.12

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Brazilian literature
Modernismo and regionalism
…Lobato’s short stories, collected in Urupês (1918; “Urupês”). Faced with the paucity of Brazilian books for young readers, Lobato also wrote 17 volumes of children’s stories and is considered a master of juvenile literature.
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…Lobato’s short stories, collected in Urupês (1918; “Urupês”). Faced with the paucity of Brazilian books for young readers, Lobato also wrote 17 volumes of children’s stories and is considered a master of juvenile literature.
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José Bento Monteiro Lobato
…later collected in his book Urupês (1918; “Mushrooms”). In these he introduced the character Jeca Tatu (“Joe Armadillo”), who became the symbol of the Brazilian backlander. “Poor Jeca Tatu,” Lobato comments. “You are so handsome in novels and so ugly in real life! You don’t talk; you don’t sing; you…
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…later collected in his book Urupês (1918; “Mushrooms”). In these he introduced the character Jeca Tatu (“Joe Armadillo”), who became the symbol of the Brazilian backlander. “Poor Jeca Tatu,” Lobato comments. “You are so handsome in novels and so ugly in real life! You don’t talk; you don’t sing; you…
Read More