Contextualization

Symbolist Literature is a literary movement that emerged in the second half of the 19th century until the beginning of World War I, characterized by the appreciation of feelings, sensations, and emotions, seeking to represent what is beyond the real and rational world. Unlike Realism, a movement that focused on portraying reality objectively and faithfully, Symbolism was concerned with the subjective and introspective, using metaphors and symbols to convey its messages.

Brazilian and worldwide Symbolism brought us great authors such as Cruz e Sousa, Alphonsus de Guimaraens, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Verlaine, and Charles Baudelaire. Its cultural legacy is vast and has endured in future generations of writers, with its precepts infiltrating other literary movements. Thus, this literary current is more than a historical topic: it is an important part of our cultural heritage.

Studying Symbolist literature is crucial to understand the evolution of literature as a whole, as it is through the analysis and understanding of the narratives, poems, and prose that make up this literary movement that we can comprehend fundamental concepts of modern literature. Symbolism represents the transition between the romantic era, shaped by ideals of heroism, love, and patriotism, to the modern era, which seeks to explore the human psyche and feelings in an introspective and subjective way. Therefore, the study of Symbolism is a gateway to understanding modern literary movements.

It is suggested that, to delve deeper into the topic, students access the following resources:

• For more in-depth information about the Symbolist movement in world literature, it is suggested to read the book "Symbolists and Symbolism" by Robert L. Delevoy.
• National Library website Symbolism: provides an overview of Symbolism in Brazilian literature.
• Portal Educação website Symbolism: contains basic information about Symbolism, its main authors, and their most significant works.
• Videos from the series "Brazilian Literature: Symbolism" available on Youtube by Casa do Saber: offers a series of classes that address the Symbolist movement in Brazilian literature.

Practical Activity: "Living the Symbolism"

Project Objective

To develop a better understanding of the main concepts and techniques of Symbolist literature through the exploration of one of its most emblematic works by an author freely chosen by the group. In addition, students will enhance their teamwork, research, and communication skills.

Detailed Project Description

The groups, composed of 3 to 5 students, must choose a Symbolist author, whether Brazilian or foreign, and one of their main works. Based on this choice, the group must create a theatrical presentation that reinterprets the chosen work.

Simultaneously with the preparation of the theatrical presentation, the group must write a report exposing the analyses made throughout the project preparation, portraying the context of the author and the chosen work, the interpretation of the work, the preparation for the theatrical piece, and the conclusions drawn from this immersion.

Necessary Materials

• Books or online materials about the author and their chosen work
• Materials for the production of the theatrical piece (costumes, sets, etc.)
• Computer for the elaboration of the report

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Group Formation: organize yourselves with your colleagues in groups of 3 to 5 people.

2. Author and Work Selection: research different Symbolist authors and choose one that interests the group. Then, select a representative work by this author to be the focus of the project.

3. Study and Analysis of the Author and Work: read and study the chosen work. Research about the author, the context in which the work was written, and the main literary analyses about it.

4. Preparation of the Theatrical Presentation: transform the literary work into a theater piece. For this, it will be necessary to create a script, rehearse the piece, and prepare the sets and costumes. Remember that the goal is to convey, through the piece, the essence of Symbolism and the chosen work.

5. Elaboration of the Report: throughout the project, the group must write a report divided into four parts:

   • Introduction: contextualize the work, present the chosen author and work, as well as the project's objective.
   • Development: explain the preparation for the theatrical piece, detail the interpretation of the work, the choice of scenes portrayed, the production of the script, sets, and costumes. Show how Symbolism concepts were applied.
   • Conclusions: discuss what was learned from the project, the challenges encountered and how the group overcame them, in addition to a reflection on the importance and influence of Symbolism in literature.
   • Bibliography: cite all resources (books, websites, videos) used to study Symbolism, the author, and the chosen work.

6. Project Presentation: perform the theatrical piece for the class and submit the report to the teacher.

Project Deliverables

The deliverables of this project are the theatrical presentation and the written report. Both must complement each other, meaning the theatrical piece should playfully and creatively portray the group's interpretation of the chosen work, while the report should present in a structured and reflective manner the studies and analyses made for the piece production.

These two deliverables, together, allow students to express both their creative and artistic side, as well as their critical and analytical side. Additionally, by writing the report, students will have the opportunity to practice their written communication skills, organization of ideas, and argumentation.