Manuel Antônio de Almeida was born on November 17, 1831. He was still studying Medicine when his weekly newsletter “Memoirs of a militia sergeant” began to be successful in the “Pacotilha” supplement of the Correio Mercantil newspaper. People read it and liked it, but they didn't know who was the author of an innovative language, different from the romantic typology of the time.
He graduated in Medicine, but never held the position, as he was already engaged in the journalistic field, in which he was appointed Director of the National Printing Office in 1857. During the exercise of this function, Manuel Antônio impressed by employing a poor mestizo named Machado de Assis.
On November 28, 1861, the writer died in the sinking of the ship Hermes, shortly after turning 30 years old.
The brochure “Memoirs of a militia sergeant” became a book and had a prominent place in the Romanticism still in force, as it was a work far from the novels published, such as A Moreninha, by example. Far from the halls of aristocracy, sophisticated environments and difficult to speak, Manuel Antônio portrays the people in his simplicity, colloquial language, popular parties and characters with close-to-reality stereotypes and names suggestive. It is for these reasons that the novel is considered customary, as it dictates the life that takes place on the streets in the “time of the king”.
His simple and straightforward prose, with bits of humor and satire, complete the characteristics of this irreverent romantic writer.
Works: Novel: Memoirs of a Militia Sergeant (1854-55)
Lyrical drama: Two loves
Poetry: some poems published in magazines and newspapers.
See below an excerpt from the work Memories of a militia sergeant and check out the popular language:
(...) “They went to see Maria-Regalada, who just the day before had told them that she had moved from Prainha and was offering them her new address. The comadre, fully aware, was part of the commission. When they entered Maria-Regalada's house, the first person who appeared to them was Major Vidigal, and, what is more, Major Vidigal, in lesser habits, wearing shoes and clogs.
– Oh! – said the gossip in a malicious tone, only Maria-Regalada appeared – from what I see, it's going well here...
– Don't you remember – Maria-Regalada replied – of that secret with which I obtained the boy's forgiveness? Well, that was it..." (...)
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
By Sabrina Vilarinho
Graduated in Letters
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
VILARINHO, Sabrina. "Manuel Antônio de Almeida"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/literatura/manuel-antonio-almeida-1.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
