Full nameJoaquim Maria Machado de Assis Born1839 Influential AreasNovelist, playwright, short story writer Known ForLiterature

Vision

Biography

Awards and Recognition

References

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis was a Brazilian novelist, poet, playwright, and short story writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the history of the Portuguese language. His works, characterized by psychological insight and subtle irony, have been influential in world literature.

Vision

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, a Brazilian novelist, poet, playwright, and short story writer, had a unique vision that was reflected in his work. His vision was characterized by a deep understanding of human nature, a keen perception of social dynamics, and a profound skepticism towards the established norms and values of his time.

Born in 1839 in Rio de Janeiro to a poor family, Machado de Assis had a challenging childhood. Despite these adversities, he managed to educate himself by reading extensively. His vision was shaped by his experiences and his varied readings, which ranged from the classics to contemporary European literature. His literary vision was marked by a clear detachment from the prevailing romanticism of his time. Instead, he embraced realism, which allowed him to depict the world in an unvarnished manner.

Machado de Assis is best known for his novels, the most famous of which is Dom Casmurro. In this novel, his vision is expressed through the protagonist, Bentinho, who suspects his wife, Capitu, of infidelity. Instead of focusing on the plot, Machado de Assis delves into the psychological aspects of the characters, revealing their conflicting emotions, doubts, and fears. This focus on the individual's inner world was a hallmark of Machado de Assis's vision.

His vision was also notable for its critique of society. He depicted the social realities of Brazil with a cynical eye, highlighting the superficiality and hypocrisy of the elite. His works often satirized the pretensions of the upper class, showing their moral failings and their indifference to the plight of the less privileged. At the same time, he did not romanticize the poor, but portrayed them as they were, with their own flaws and weaknesses.

Another aspect of Machado de Assis's vision was his sense of irony. He used irony to expose the absurdities and contradictions of life. His novels are filled with ironic observations and comments, which serve to underscore the frailty of human beings and the precariousness of existence. This use of irony was not merely a stylistic device, but a way of expressing his philosophical outlook. For Machado de Assis, life was characterized by ambiguity, uncertainty, and unpredictability.

Machado de Assis's vision was also marked by his skepticism. He questioned the validity of established truths, whether they were religious, philosophical, or social. His skepticism was not nihilistic, but rather a form of critical thinking that challenged conventional wisdom. This skepticism is evident in his works, where he often presents multiple perspectives on a single event, leaving it to the reader to decide what to believe.

Despite his skepticism, Machado de Assis's vision was not devoid of compassion. He had a deep empathy for the human condition, and his works often reflect a compassionate understanding of human frailty. He portrayed his characters with all their flaws and failings, but also with their potential for goodness and nobility. His vision was ultimately a humanistic one, affirming the dignity and worth of the individual.

His vision also extended to the realm of literature itself. He was a champion of literary freedom, advocating for the right of the writer to explore any subject and to experiment with different forms and styles. He himself was a master of various genres, from the novel to the short story, from poetry to theater. His works are characterized by their innovative narrative techniques, their sophisticated use of language, and their complex structure.

In conclusion, Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis's vision was marked by its depth, complexity, and originality. It was a vision that challenged the norms and values of his time, that explored the complexities of the human mind, and that critiqued the social realities of Brazil. His vision continues to resonate today, making him one of the most enduring and influential figures in Brazilian literature.

Biography

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, also known as Machado de Assis, Machadinho, or Bruxo do Cosme Velho, was a prominent Brazilian novelist, poet, playwright, and short story writer. He is widely considered one of the greatest writers in the history of Brazilian literature and one of the most significant literary figures in the world. Born on June 21, 1839, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Machado de Assis was the son of a father who was a house painter and a mother who was a washerwoman.

Machado de Assis was of mixed race, a fact that has been noted in relation to his works, which often deal with issues of race and social class in Brazil. Despite his humble beginnings, he was able to educate himself and build a career as a writer, becoming one of the most influential and celebrated authors in Brazilian literature. His works are noted for their innovative style, complex structure, and deep psychological insight, and they have been translated into many languages and studied by scholars all over the world.

As a child, Machado de Assis was mostly self-educated. He learned French and English from a local baker and used these skills to read works by major European authors such as Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Cervantes. His first published work was a poem which appeared in the newspaper Periódico dos Pobres in 1854. He was just 15 years old at the time, and his early work showed a strong influence from Romanticism, a literary movement that was popular in Brazil at the time.

In 1860, Machado de Assis began working at the Ministry of Agriculture, Commerce, and Public Works, where he served as a typographer. While there, he published his first collection of poetry, Crisálidas, in 1864. His early works were well received, and his reputation as a writer grew. In 1872, he published his first novel, Ressurreição. It was a success, and Machado de Assis went on to write nine more novels, including Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas (The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas), which is considered his masterpiece.

Throughout his career, Machado de Assis also wrote numerous plays, short stories, and poems. His work is known for its intricate structure, psychological depth, and its exploration of the human condition. His works are often characterized by their use of irony, satire, and wit, and they are noted for their insight into the complexities of human nature. Despite his success as a writer, Machado de Assis lived a relatively quiet and private life. He was married to Carolina Augusta Xavier de Novais, a Portuguese woman, for 35 years until her death in 1904.

As a writer, Machado de Assis was a pioneer in many ways. He is often credited with introducing the psychological novel to Brazilian literature, and his works are seen as precursors to many modern literary movements, including magic realism. His innovative use of narrative structure, his complex character development, and his exploration of themes such as identity, power, and social class have made his works timeless and universally relevant.

Machado de Assis died on September 29, 1908, in his native Rio de Janeiro. His death was widely mourned in Brazil, and his works continue to be celebrated and studied to this day. His influence on Brazilian literature is immense, and he is considered a national treasure. His works have been translated into many languages, and his influence extends beyond Brazil to the wider literary world.

In recognition of his contributions to literature, several institutions in Brazil and around the world have been named after Machado de Assis. These include the Machado de Assis Library in Rio de Janeiro, the Machado de Assis Museum in his hometown of Rio de Janeiro, and the Machado de Assis Award, which is one of the most prestigious literary prizes in Brazil. His legacy lives on in the many writers he has influenced and in the countless readers who continue to discover and enjoy his works.

Despite the many challenges he faced in his life, including poverty, racial discrimination, and health problems, Machado de Assis was able to overcome these obstacles and achieve great success. His life story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and the human spirit, and his works continue to inspire and captivate readers all over the world.

Awards and Recognition

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, often celebrated as the greatest writer of Brazilian literature, has been recognized and awarded posthumously for his remarkable work. While his lifetime did not see the kind of recognition his work deserved, due in part to his mixed race background and modest upbringing, his influence and importance in Brazilian and world literature have been recognized and celebrated with various honors and awards in the years following his death in 1908.

One of the most significant recognitions of Machado de Assis is his establishment as a founding member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters in 1897. He was not only a founding member but also the Academy's first President, a position he held until his death. His importance to the Academy is such that the president's chair is known as the 'Machado de Assis Chair.' The Academy, which is the foremost institution devoted to the Portuguese language and literature in Brazil, has consistently recognized and celebrated Machado de Assis's contributions.

Another important recognition of Machado de Assis's work is the posthumous publication and translation of his works. While his works were largely overlooked during his lifetime, particularly those written in his later, more experimental and critical phase, they have been extensively published and translated in the years following his death. His work, especially the novels of his mature period, including 'Epitaph of a Small Winner' and 'Dom Casmurro,' have been translated into many languages and are recognized as classics of world literature.

In 2008, the centenary of his death was celebrated in Brazil with various events and publications that recognized and celebrated his work. This included a year-long program of events, 'Ano Machado de Assis,' that included conferences, publications, and exhibitions devoted to his life and work. This celebration highlighted his enduring significance and influence in Brazilian and world literature.

Machado de Assis has also been recognized with various literary awards and honors named after him. These include the 'Prêmio Machado de Assis,' an award established by the Brazilian Academy of Letters in 1941. This award, which is one of the highest honors in Brazilian literature, is presented for a lifetime's contribution to Brazilian literature. The 'Machado de Assis Medal,' awarded by the Brazilian Academy of Letters, is another significant recognition of contributions to Brazilian literature.

Moreover, various institutions, libraries, and public spaces in Brazil and elsewhere have been named in honor of Machado de Assis, recognizing his importance and influence. These include the 'Biblioteca Nacional Machado de Assis,' a national library in Rio de Janeiro, and the 'Machado de Assis Municipal Library' in his birthplace of Rio de Janeiro. There are also various schools, streets, and other public spaces named after him throughout Brazil.

Machado de Assis's influence extends beyond Brazil. His work has been recognized and celebrated by various international literary scholars and institutions. His work has been included in various international literary canons and anthologies, including the 'Library of Latin America' series published by Oxford University Press and the 'Penguin Classics' series.

Despite the lack of recognition during his lifetime, Machado de Assis's work has achieved significant recognition and acclaim in the years following his death. His importance and influence in Brazilian and world literature are widely recognized and celebrated. His work continues to be read, studied, and appreciated by readers and scholars around the world, highlighting his enduring significance and contribution to literature.

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Vision

Biography

Awards and Recognition

References

City of Residence

Rio de Janeiro

Known For

Literature

Born

1839

Location

Novelist, playwright, short story writer

Company Name

Brazilian Academy of Letters

Education

Self-taught

Personal Details

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, often known as Machado de Assis, Machado, or Bruxo do Cosme Velho, was a pioneer Brazilian novelist, poet, playwright and short story writer. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer of Brazilian literature

Recognition

Considered by many as the greatest writer of Brazilian literature, he is famous for his novels, such as Dom Casmurro and The Posthumous Memoirs of Bras Cubas