Abstract
Murilo Mendes’s poetry shows a position balanced between, on the one hand, a scriptural Christianism that believes in a unique and sole truth—even though such a singularity may remain open to the indeterminacy of signifying systems—and, on the other hand, a hermeneutic relativism that rejects the idea that there be a final and definite truth. Nevertheless, in order to achieve that goal, it is necessary to analyze the Brazilian cultural atmosphere in which Murilo Mendes developed his ideas about religion and literature. This also involves a reconstruction of the European debate on these topics that took place among the French surrealists and dissidents.
Resumo
Abstract
Murilo Mendes’s poetry shows a position balanced between, on the one hand, a scriptural Christianism that believes in a unique and sole truth—even though such a singularity may remain open to the indeterminacy of signifying systems—and, on the other hand, a hermeneutic relativism that rejects the idea that there be a final and definite truth. Nevertheless, in order to achieve that goal, it is necessary to analyze the Brazilian cultural atmosphere in which Murilo Mendes developed his ideas about religion and literature. This also involves a reconstruction of the European debate on these topics that took place among the French surrealists and dissidents.
- © 2004 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.