The Colonial Encounter in Brazil: Depictions, Religion, and Race.For this first essay, you should write a 5-page paper (double-spaced, 12pt, standard font and margins) from one of the following prompts. Your paper should be elaborated in an appropriate academic style and call upon either the Chicago or the MLA guidelines for citing sources on an additional page entitled “Works Cited.”

QUESTION

For this first essay, you should write a 5-page paper (double-spaced, 12pt, standard font and margins) from one of the following prompts. Your paper should be elaborated in an appropriate academic style and call upon either the Chicago or the MLA guidelines for citing sources on an additional page entitled “Works Cited.”

The essay should cite actual evidence from the texts in question as citations and should analyze that evidence by paying careful attention to the actual words used and their implications. Strong essays will give careful consideration of the actual language used in their sources and will develop their discussions according to an analysis of ideas as reflected in these sources.

1. Compare and contrast Pêro Vaz de Caminha’s “Letter to Manuel I of Portugal” and Nelson Pereira dos Santos’ How Tasty was my Little Frenchman. Be sure to address them as documents and relate them to their respective contexts. How do they complement each other as depictions of a moment and of the Portuguese colonial presence in Brazil? How does Pereira dos Santos’ film serve as a critique of documents like Vaz da Caminha’s “Letter”? Be sure to substantiate your discussion with specific examples from each. Call, as well, upon some of the other sources that we have read to enrich and contextualize your discussion.

2. Consider the varying roles of religion in shaping the early Brazilian colonial encounters. Specifically, return to Sweet’s history of the life and context of Domingos Álvares, in addition to Pêro Vaz da Caminha’s “Letter” or other documents related to Portuguese Christianity, and discuss concrete examples, episodes, or instances, that you find particularly interesting and revealing of some of these roles. Have we read a text that may serve as an example of an Amerindian religious worldview? How may the role of the written word versus the spoken word shape notions of religiosity in each case? Be sure to call upon, as well, some of the other texts read in class to enrich and contextualize your discussion.

3. “Race” in Brazil has had very different implications throughout its history. The attempted enslavement and decimation of Amerindians in addition to the enslavement and forced migration of Africans, while economically motivated, are premised upon ideas about race and ethnicity. The continuing legacy of these events in Brazil provide, as well, opportunities to examine how race continues to shape contemporary life in Brazil despite the relative remoteness of the colonial period. Return to Manoel de Nóbrega’s “Letter to Governor Tomé de Sousa,” Pêro Vaz de Caminha’s “Letter,” Jean de Léry’s History or to Sweet’s history of the life of Domingos Álvares, and find examples or specific evidence that you can then read in the light of Edward Telles’ ideas regarding race and color in contemporary Brazil. Be sure to call upon, as well, some of the other texts read in class to enrich and contextualize your discussion.

ANSWER

 The Colonial Encounter in Brazil: Depictions, Religion, and Race

Introduction

The colonial period in Brazil was marked by encounters between the Portuguese colonizers and the indigenous populations, as well as the forced migration and enslavement of Africans. These encounters shaped the social, cultural, and religious dynamics of Brazil, leaving a lasting impact on its history and contemporary society. This essay aims to explore three distinct prompts related to the colonial period in Brazil, drawing upon primary sources such as Pêro Vaz de Caminha’s “Letter to Manuel I of Portugal,” Nelson Pereira dos Santos’ film How Tasty was my Little Frenchman, Manoel de Nóbrega’s “Letter to Governor Tomé de Sousa,” Jean de Léry’s History, and Sweet’s history of the life of Domingos Álvares, while also incorporating secondary sources to contextualize the discussion.

Prompt 1: Comparing Pêro Vaz de Caminha’s “Letter” and How Tasty was my Little Frenchman

Pêro Vaz de Caminha’s “Letter to Manuel I of Portugal” provides a firsthand account of the Portuguese colonial presence in Brazil, describing the landscape, indigenous peoples, and encounters with the land. How Tasty was my Little Frenchman, directed by Nelson Pereira dos Santos, serves as a critique of colonial documents like Caminha’s “Letter.” The film challenges the romanticized portrayal of the Portuguese colonial project and exposes the violent and exploitative nature of colonization. By analyzing specific examples from both sources, such as the portrayal of indigenous cultures and the treatment of the French prisoner, the complementary nature of these depictions and their critique of the colonial enterprise become apparent.

Prompt 2: The Role of Religion in Colonial Encounters

Religion played a significant role in shaping the early Brazilian colonial encounters. Domingos Álvares, as discussed in Sweet’s history, exemplifies the complex religious dynamics of the time. The influence of Portuguese Christianity, evident in documents like Caminha’s “Letter,” is juxtaposed with the spiritual practices of the indigenous populations. The clash between the written word, representing Christianity, and the spoken word, representing indigenous oral traditions, shaped notions of religiosity. By examining specific examples, such as religious ceremonies and the interactions between different religious worldviews, a deeper understanding of the roles of religion in colonial encounters emerges.

Prompt 3: Race in Brazil: Historical Legacy and Contemporary Implications

The enslavement of Africans and attempted enslavement of Amerindians were motivated by economic interests but based on ideas about race and ethnicity. Primary sources like Nóbrega’s “Letter,” Caminha’s “Letter,” and de Léry’s History shed light on these historical events. Edward Telles’ ideas regarding race and color in contemporary Brazil provide a lens through which to analyze the lasting impact of these events on Brazilian society. By examining specific evidence, such as descriptions of racial hierarchies and discriminatory practices, the essay highlights the enduring legacy of race in Brazil and its ongoing influence on contemporary life.

Conclusion

The colonial encounter in Brazil was shaped by various factors, including depictions in primary sources, the role of religion, and the implications of race. The prompts explored in this essay shed light on the complexity of these dynamics and their lasting impact on Brazilian society. By analyzing specific examples from primary sources and incorporating secondary sources, we gain insights into the colonial period and its significance in shaping Brazil’s history and contemporary realities. Understanding these multifaceted aspects allows for a more comprehensive understanding of Brazil’s colonial past and its ongoing relevance in the present day.