Beyond the World Republic of Letters

Abstract

This paper draws on a research focused on Brazilian literary life in the first half of the 20th century. Taking up the idea that Brazilian culture and Brazilian literature must be approached as a language in itself, it aims to contribute to throw light upon the crucial decades in which Europe’s influence as trendsetter begins to fade. A survey of letters sent from abroad by Brazilian writers to their colleagues in that period will show how displacement influenced their views on literature and life and the depth of their dependence on keeping up dialogue with home-staying literary friends. Most of Brazilian authors living in foreign countries in the 40s and 50s of last century displayed in their letters the need to remain in touch with their national literature, whereas searching to establish contact with writers from the countries they were residing in was seldom a priority.