Single Page #4 - The Mule
The podcast series "Literature and Critical Thinking in Brazil," led by Alexandre Pilati, a professor at the University of Brasília, focuses on discussions of Brazilian literature and its relation to national formation. In its first season, the series features the analysis of works by renowned authors such as Machado de Assis, Darcy Ribeiro, and Chico Buarque. Supported by the university and the Federal District Research Support Foundation, the project includes recorded classes and readings with accompanying commentary on selected excerpts. The criteria for selecting these excerpts aim to address essential questions pertinent to the works discussed and to encourage listeners to read the complete texts. In the fourth episode titled "Páginas Avulsas," the focus is on a significant passage from Ribeiro’s novel "Omulu." The narrator, Filogonio de Castro Maia, reflects on his life and sins during a confession to a priest who is set to inherit his lands. This excerpt captures the narrator's intense personality and offers insights into the Brazilian social structure, particularly regarding those in power. The episode highlights Ribeiro’s skill in crafting a complex character, prompting listeners to consider the dynamics of societal formation in Brazil. Throughout the podcast, listeners are encouraged to engage with the literature and reflect on its relevance to contemporary Brazilian society. Pilati emphasizes the importance of understanding how literature can reveal insights about the country's history and social fabric. The series aims to foster deeper literacy and critical thought about Brazilian literature and its connection to national identity.