BELONGINGS, NATIONALISMS AND CULTURAL TENSIONS IN UM RIO IMITA O RENO, BY VIANNA MOOG

Abstract

By means of a careful analysis of the Um rio imita o Reno, novel published in 1939 by
Clodomir Vianna Moog, the aim of this paper is to discuss the cultural conflicts in the book's plot from
the experiences and events experienced by the protagonist, Geraldo. Based on the contemporary
critical reception of the novel, as well as from the historical events of the socio-political context of the
late 1930s, we will seek to discuss concepts problematized in the work, such as the ethnic and cultural
belonging present in the fictitious representation colony, and the representation of nationalism (both
Germanic and Brazilian). Thus, the novel will not to be considered as a reflection of a historical
context, but as part of a cultural poetic to which its author was inserted (TEIXEIRA, 1998, 2006).
Besides, studies such as Aquino (2007), Bueno (2006) and Weber (2013) will be considered once they
have focused on the novel analysis. Works such as Seyferth (1999) and Seitenfus (2003) offer
subsidies and contribute to the literary analysis.