Abstract
O artigo se refere à questão do "caráter nacional" amplamente discutida por intelectuais latino-americanos entre as décadas de 1930-50. Procuro analisar ensaios produzidos por autores que, nesse período, demonstraram grande interesse pelo tema. Busco identificar em suas obras aspectos que contribuíram para a formação de mitos e tipos nacionais estereotipados. Essas obras tiveram grande repercussão nacional e continental na época em que foram publicados e até hoje os traços do caráter nacional apresentados nos ensaios que analiso continuam sendo mencionados como se tivessem base científica. Tento mostrar os preconceitos resultantes dessas caracterizações, que continuam vivas nos imaginários sociais, servindo de justificativa para formas diversas de intolerância.
Highlights
This text proposes to analyze the meaning of the representations produced by Latin American intellectuals who, between the 1930s and 50s, were devoted to the preparation of essays focused on the analysis of characteristic traits considered “national” in their respective countries
The object of this article is to analyze the representations of national identity expressed in the essays produced by prestigious intellectuals during the period they wrote works, which to his day are considered of great literary value
The “national woes” were seen as legacies of the past that prevented the formation of an authentic national identity
Summary
The object of this article is to analyze the representations of national identity expressed in the essays produced by prestigious intellectuals during the period they wrote works, which to his day are considered of great literary value. I draw attention, in this text, to some aspects of these representations related to the subject of the national character, written by the following authors: Eduardo Mallea and Ezequiel Martinez Estrada (Argentines), Samuel Ramos and Octávio Paz (Mexicans), Gilberto Freyre (Brazilian). Their writings, replete with metaphors, an integral part of narrative essays, presented the reader with a pessimistic portrayal of society at the time. Myths and stereotypes emerged from interpretations of Brazil made by recognized intellectuals; ideas that were developed in a particular situation in the past and were eventually incorporated by common sense as unquestionable truths
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