Modernism was an artistic and literary movement that emerged in Brazil with the Semana de Arte Moderna, in 1922.
Test your knowledge of the first modernist generation with these exercises commented by our expert teachers.
question 1
The Week of Modern Art, which took place in 1922, inaugurated the modernist movement in Brazil. The first phase of Brazilian literary modernism, which lasted from 1922 to 1930, had as its main characteristic:
a) use of poems in a fixed form, such as the sonnet.
b) refined and academic language.
c) appreciation of Brazilian cultural roots.
d) pessimism and opposition to romanticism.
e) focus on issues related to colonization
Correct alternative: c) valorization of Brazilian cultural roots.
One of the main objectives of Brazilian modernism was to bring out aspects of Brazilian popular culture. That is why, at that time, nationalism and pride supported and helped in the valorization of a typically Brazilian culture.
question 2
give me a cigarette
says the grammar
from the teacher and the student
And from the known mulatto
But the good black and the good white
of the Brazilian nation
they say every day
leave it comrade
Give me a cigarette.
(Pronominals, Oswald de Andrade)
Oswald de Andrade was one of the main authors of the first phase of modernism in Brazil. In the poetry above, the writer proposes:
a) the search for a universal identity.
b) the appreciation of the Brazilian colloquial language.
c) a criticism of bad habits, such as smoking.
d) emphasize the relationship between teacher and student.
e) rethink the use of Brazilian Portuguese.
Correct alternative: b) the valorization of Brazilian colloquial language.
In Oswald de Andrade's poem, the writer proposes the use of Brazilian Portuguese valuing the use of the language in a colloquial way.
The name of the free verse poem, Pronominals, focuses on the theme of pronominal placement, which in informal language is used incorrectly with the pronoun “me” at the beginning of the sentence.
question 3
Many writers were part of the first modernist generation in Brazil, except:
a) Mario de Andrade
b) Manuel Bandeira
c) Cassiano Ricardo
d) Carlos Drummond de Andrade
e) Alcantara Machado
Correct alternative: d) Carlos Drummond de Andrade
Carlos Drummond de Andrade was one of the poets of the second modernist generation, being a precursor of the so-called “poetry of the 30s”.
question 4
The first modernist generation became known as the “heroic phase” for trying to create a more Brazilian identity by moving away from the European molds. So, there were several groups, magazines and manifestos that were created at that time, except:
a) Green-Yellow Movement
b) Klaxon Magazine
c) Pau-Brasil Movement
d) Anthropophagic Movement
e) Poetry of 30
Correct alternative: e) Poetry of 30
The poetry of the 30s, also called the generation of 30s, brings together poetic works by authors from the second phase of modernism (1930-1945).
With great formal freedom and aesthetic experimentation, this phase marks a period of great maturity for writers, from whom highlight: Carlos Drummond de Andrade, Cecília Meireles, Murilo Mendes, Mario Quintana, Manoel de Barros, Vinicius de Moraes and Jorge de Lime.
In the other alternatives, we have:
a) Movimento Verde-Amarelo: a proud current of exaltation of Brazil created in 1926 and which represented a reaction against the French nationalism of the pau-Brasil movement.
b) Klaxon Magazine: weekly magazine that circulated from 1922 to 1923 and presented themes related to modern art.
c) Movement Pau-Brasil: with a focus on valuing national identity, this movement began in 1924 with the publication of the manifesto “Pau-Brasil”, by Oswald de Andrade.
d) Anthropophagic Movement: avant-garde current led by Oswald de Andrade and Tarsila do Amaral had the intention to transfigure the culture, mainly the European one, thus conferring the character national. It originated in 1928 with the publication of the Manifesto Antropofágico published by Oswald de Andrade on May 1, 1928 in the Revista de Antropofagia.
question 5
Read the following statements:
I. The first phase of modernism in Brazil became known as the heroic or destruction phase.
II. Artists of the first modernist generation looked to folklore for the roots of local culture.
III. Some characteristics of the first modernist phase are: the freedom of art, the appreciation of the colloquial Brazilian language and the use of sarcasm and irony.
The correct alternative is:
a) only I
b) I and II
c) I and III
d) II and III
e) I, II and III
Correct alternative: e) I, II and III
The Week of Modern Art (1922) represented a symbol of aesthetic renewal and brought together several proposals from artists committed to renewing the structures of art in Brazil.
From that, the first modernist generation began, also called the heroic phase or the destruction phase, having in tells the proposal for renewal, where a truly Brazilian art was sought, one that was far from the molds Europeans.
By breaking with the models of the past and creating something new, the artists of that moment valued the use of colloquial language and popular, sarcasm and irony, and artistic freedom, seeking inspiration from the roots of culture in national folklore Brazilian.
question 6
The modernist artist Tarsila do Amaral gave her husband, Oswald de Andrade, her canvas as a gift abaporu, painted in 1928. This work of art became the symbol of the modernist movement called:
a) green-yellow
b) Anthropophagic
c) Brazil wood
d) Tapir School
e) Heroic generation
Correct alternative: b) Anthropophagic
The artwork Abaporu, by Tarsila do Amaral, was considered the symbol of the anthropophagic movement.
This modern avant-garde current proposed an aesthetic renovation in the field of Brazilian arts, using aspects of foreign cultures, especially European, and thus creating something new.
It is worth remembering that the name Abaporu is formed by the terms “aba” (man) and “poru” (one who eats) and means “the man who eats”. Thus, metaphorically, the idea of this movement was to “eat”, “devour” or “swallow” foreign culture and create a different one.
question 7
the capoeira
"What do you catch soda?"
- What?
"What do you catch?"
Legs and head on the sidewalk.
(Oswald de Andrade. Poetry collected. 5th ed. Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian Civilization, 1978. P. 94)
About the modernist language is incorrect claim:
a) search for a more colloquial language.
b) valuing issues related to everyday life.
c) use of free verses, without defined meter.
d) art for art or art over art.
e) irreverence and subjectivism of texts.
Correct alternative: d) art for art or art over art.
Modernist language is unconcerned with formal standards and preconceived rules. Thus, the verses used are free, that is, they do not have a predetermined number of poetic syllables.
The search for a more popular and Brazilian language represents one of the important characteristics of the movement. She makes use of irreverence, humor and irony to address issues related to everyday life.
The appreciation of issues related to Brazilian culture goes hand in hand with the theme of art for art or art over art. In this concept, much explored in Parnassianism, the concern is only aesthetic, distancing itself from moral and social issues and, therefore, it is not part of the modernist language.
question 8
“Deep in the virgin forest, Macunaíma was born, the hero of our people. She was jet black and the child of night fear. There was a moment when the silence was so great listening to the murmur of the Uraricoera, that the Indian woman, tapanhumas gave birth to an ugly child. This child is what they called Macunaíma.”
Macunaíma is one of the most emblematic novels of the first phase of modernism in Brazil. Written by Mario de Andrade and published in 1928, this work is considered a rhapsody because:
a) it is an epic poem sung based on the work of Homer, ancient Greek poet.
b) it is a set of classical poems based on themes from Greek mythology.
c) it is a literary work that absorbs all the oral and folk traditions of a people.
d) it is a literary work that brings together the traditions of Portuguese colonizers.
e) it is a set of selected poems by the modernist writer Mario de Andrade.
Correct alternative: c) it is a literary work that absorbs all the oral and folk traditions of a people.
Macunaíma is a modernist novel written in prose and telling the story of a lazy and mischievous Indian. The work was considered a rhapsody, as it presents a simple and colloquial language with indigenous influences, as well as several examples of Brazilian folklore.
question 9
I insult the bourgeois! the nickel-bourgeois
the bourgeois-bourgeois!
The well-done digestion of São Paulo!
The curve-man! The buttocks man!
The man who being French, Brazilian, Italian,
he is always a cautious little-by-bit!
I insult cautious aristocracies!
The lamp barons! The counts Johns! The Dukes Braying!
Who live within walls without leaps,
and moan the blood of some weak milreis
to say that the lady's daughters speak French
and touch the "Printemps" with their nails!
I insult the dismal bourgeois!
The indigestible beans and bacon, owner of traditions!
Aside from those who figure tomorrows!
Look at the lives of our Septembers!
Will it be sunny? Will it rain? Harlequin!
But in the rain of roses
the ecstasy will always make Sol!
Death to fat!
Death to cerebral adiposities!
Death to the monthly bourgeois!
To the bourgeois-cinema! To the tiburi bourgeois!
Swiss bakery! Living death to Adriano!
"—Oh, daughter, what will I give you for your years?
- A necklace... — I count and five hundred!!!
But we starve to death!"
Eats! Eat yourself, oh! gelatin amazed!
Oh! moral mashed potatoes!
Oh! hair in the nostrils! Oh! bald!
Hate to regular tempers!
Hate muscle clocks! Death to infamy!
Hate to the sum! Hate to dry and wet
Hate to those without fainting or regrets,
forever the conventional sameness!
Hands behind your back! I mark the compass! Hey!
Two by two! First position! March!
All to Central from my intoxicating grudge!
Hate and insult! Hate and anger! Hate and more hate!
Death to the squabbling bourgeois,
snorting religion and not believing in God!
Red Hate! Fruitful hate! Cyclic hate!
Hate foundation, no forgiveness!
Outside! Fu! Apart from the good bourgeois...
(ode to the bourgeois, Mario de Andrade)
In the poem by Mario de Andrade, ode to the bourgeois, the writer intends to:
a) valuing European and Brazilian culture.
b) criticize São Paulo society in the 1920s.
c) encourage the production of traditional dishes.
d) boasting about the attitudes of the good bourgeois.
e) despise the foreign words present in the language.
Correct alternative: b) criticize São Paulo society in the 1920s.
Mario de Andrade was one of the artists belonging to the Grupo dos Cinco (alongside Anita Malfatti, Tarsila do Amaral, Menotti Del Picchia and Oswald de Andrade) and that helped in the consolidation of many ideas modernists. Several themes explored were associated with the political and social problems of the time.
In this poem, the author's idea was to criticize São Paulo society, the bourgeois, who had better living conditions and access to better education, with language teaching foreign companies.
question 10
After the Week of Modern Art, held in February 1922 in the city of São Paulo, the Brazilian modernist movement began to emerge in the country's cultural and artistic scene. About the first modernist generation, it is correct to say:
a) The literary production of the first modernist generation was intimate, regionalist and urban.
b) The writers of that time were looking for a more balanced poetry, concerned with word and form.
c) The first modernist generation constituted one of the best moments in Brazilian fiction.
d) The intention of this phase was related to social denunciation and political engagement.
e) This phase was marked by two trends: destruction and construction.
Correct alternative: e) This phase was marked by two trends: destruction and construction.
The first phase of Brazilian modernism sought to reconstruct Brazilian culture, taking into account our historical past and cultural traditions.
Therefore, the artists of that first moment defended the elimination of foreign values, making nationalism an important tool. All this without leaving aside the true Brazilian reality.
This is how the first phase of modernism was marked by the tendencies of destruction and construction. The idea was to “deconstruct” the colonized complex, creating something new and truly Brazilian.
About the other alternatives, we have:
a) It was in the third phase of modernism, also called the '45 generation, that prose and poetry were explored in a more intimate, regionalist and urban way.
b) It was in the third modernist generation that there was a greater concern with word and form.
c) It was in the second modernist phase, in the so-called “romance of the 30s”, that Brazilian fiction had great prominence.
d) It was in the second modernist generation that writers, in addition to being attentive to the Brazilian reality, had a clear intention of social denunciation and political engagement.
Read more about the topic:
- Modernism in Brazil
- First Generation Modernist - 1st Phase of Modernism
- Authors of the First Phase of Modernism in Brazil
- Modernism in Brazil: characteristics and historical context