Revisiting the "Euclidean impasse" in the light of the essay

Abstract

This current paper intends to readdress the “Euclidean
impasse” about Rebellion in the Backlands´ literary genre. I
argue that the key terms of this debate (if Rebellion in the
Backlands would be a work of science or literature, sociology or
fiction) are formulated resorting to the wrong theoretical
framework. I also contend that the understanding of the literary
genre to which Rebellion in the Backlands pertains will become
more clear when the essay enters into the forefront of the debate.
The essay was the most original genre of Brazilian public sphere
throughout the end of 19th century and the beginning of 20th
century, when there were no universities and literature still
played a central role in Brazilian culture. The essay, mixing an
eclectic use of science and literary imagination, mobilized
many dictions, styles and a plethora of scientific disciplines in
order to undertake a new approach on Brazilian reality (the
REVISTA LETRAS, CURITIBA, N. 73, P. 11-28, SET./DEZ. 2007. EDITORA UFPR. 27
MELO, A. C. REVISITANDO O IMPASSE EUCLIDIANO À LUZ DO ENSAIO
cognitive dimension) and invoke Brazilians to solve the
problems of the Nation (the proposing dimension). Although it
cannot be considered a work of neither science nor fiction,
Rebellion in the Backlands employs those instances to
interpellate Brazilians to reexamine the core of nationality.
The pragmatics of this aforementioned work lies on its
interpellating appeal, which is the main function of the essay
within Brazilian culture. We conclude that the classificatory
dichotomy between science and literature is unsatisfactory to
understand the importance the work of Euclides da Cunha had
in Brazilian Culture and that the discussions about the genre
of Rebellion in the Backlands must focus on the essay.