A ideia de literatura latino-americanas em Homens e coisas estrangeiras, de José Veríssimo

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The work of José Veríssimo, a Brazilian literary critic and intellectual of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, represents a fundamental landmark for the criticism and history of national literature. Recognized by Arthur Motta and other scholars, Veríssimo stood out for his rigorous methodology and a critical vision that sought the formation of an authentically Brazilian literature. His production encompasses not only literary criticism and history, but also themes such as the Amazon, education, and Latin American culture, reflecting his intellectual complexity. Veríssimo maintains a balanced dialogue with foreign influences, employing them to investigate Brazilian and Latin American particularities. In works such as Homens e coisas estrangeiras (Foreign Men and Things), he defends the modernization of Brazil based on international experiences, emphasizing intellectual and moral development as a condition for progress. His analysis contributes to the understanding of Latin American literatures, highlighting the tensions between local cultural identity and foreign elements, as well as offering relevant reflections for the construction of contemporary literary identity