Parnassianism: French & Brazilian Literary Movement

Parnassianism: A Literary Movement

Parnassianism was a literary movement that emerged in France in the mid-nineteenth century and developed across European literature, eventually arriving in Brazil. This literary school stood in opposition to Romanticism, valuing science and positivism.

The name 'Parnassianism' originated in France, derived from 'Parnassus,' the mount of Apollo and the Muses of poetry in Greek mythology. In France, prominent Parnassian poets included Théophile Gautier, Leconte de Lisle, Théodore de Banville, and José Maria de Heredia.

Key Characteristics of Parnassianism

• Objectivity: Parnassian writers based their work on facts, setting aside subjectivity and emotion.
• Impersonality: The writer's personal vision did not interfere with the approach to facts.
• Emphasis on Aesthetics and Perfection: Poetry was valued for its inherent beauty and had to be aesthetically perfect. Poets often avoided using words from the same part of speech in their poetry, aiming for aesthetically rich rhyming.
• Ornate Language: Use of ornate language and elevated vocabulary.
• Classical Themes: Grand themes from mythology and classical culture were very common in Parnassian poetry.
• Preference for Sonnets: Sonnets were a favored poetic form.
• Strict Adherence to Metrics: The same number of poetic syllables was used in each verse.
• Detailed Description: Strong appreciation for the detailed description of scenes and objects.

Parnassianism in Brazil

In Brazil, Parnassianism arrived in the second half of the nineteenth century and remained influential until the Modernist movement, marked by the Week of Modern Art in 1922.

Leading Brazilian Parnassian Poets

• Alberto de Oliveira

  Main works:

  • Meridionais (1884)
  • Versos e Rimas (1895)
  • Poemas (1900)
  • Céu, Terra e Mar (1914)
  • O Culto da Forma na Poesia Brasileira (1916)

• Raimundo Correia

  Main works:

  • Primeiros Sonhos (1879)
  • Sinfonias (1883)
  • Versos e Versões (1887)
  • Aleluias (1891)
  • Poesias (1898)

• Olavo Bilac

  Main works:

  • Poesias (1888)
  • Crônicas e Novelas (1894)
  • Crítica e Fantasia (1904)
  • Conferências Literárias (1906)
  • Dicionário de Rimas (1913)
  • Tratado de Versificação (1910)
  • Ironia e Piedade, Crônicas (1916)
  • Tarde (1919)

• Francisca Júlia

  Main works:

  • Mármores (1895)
  • Livro da Infância (1899)
  • Esfinges (1903)
  • Alma Infantil (1912)

• Vicente de Carvalho

  Main works:

  • Ardentia (1885)
  • Santuário (1888)
  • Rosa, Rosa de Amor (1902)
  • Poemas e Canções (1908)
  • Versos da Mocidade (1909)
  • Páginas Soltas (1911)
  • A Voz dos Sinos (1916)