Literature: Symbolist and Parnassian | Active Summary

Objectives

1. 🎯 Master the essential characteristics of the Symbolist and Parnassian literary movements.

2. 🎯 Clearly differentiate Symbolism from Parnassianism, identifying their peculiarities and main authors.

3. 🎯 Apply knowledge in critical analyses and literary creations inspired by these movements.

Contextualization

Did you know that Symbolism and Parnassianism were literary movements that emerged as a response to Romanticism, but each took a distinct path in the history of literature? While Parnassianism sought formal perfection and descriptive precision, Symbolism plunged into a universe of symbols and subjectivities, deeply exploring human emotions. These movements not only shaped the literary techniques of their time but also reflected the social and cultural anxieties of the late 19th century.

Important Topics

Characteristics of Symbolism

Symbolism is a literary movement that emerged in France in the late 19th century as a reaction to Realism and Naturalism, emphasizing the expression of emotion and subjectivity. This movement values the use of symbols, sensory images, and suggestions to express the internal states of the human being, seeking to achieve a reality that transcends the physical world.

• Intensive use of symbolism and metaphors to explore themes such as death, the spiritual, and the mystical.

• Style marked by the musicality of verses, use of alliteration and assonance that reinforce the sensory aspect of poems.

• Authors such as Cruz e Sousa in Brazil and Charles Baudelaire in France are central figures of this movement.

Characteristics of Parnassianism

Parnassianism, also developed in the late 19th century, is known for its pursuit of 'art for art's sake', focusing on formal perfection and technical precision. Differentiating itself from Symbolism, this literary movement emphasizes objectivity and emotional distancing, with poems that feature rich visual description and rigorously symmetrical structure.

• Strong emphasis on poetic form, frequently using sonnets with precise metrics and rhymes.

• Themes often centered on physical beauty and nature, avoiding the expression of personal feelings.

• Olavo Bilac and Alberto de Oliveira are examples of Parnassian poets in Brazil.

Comparison between Symbolism and Parnassianism

Although contemporary, Symbolism and Parnassianism oppose each other in several aspects. While Symbolism focuses on the expression of emotion and sensory suggestion, Parnassianism concentrates on objectivity and formal perfection. This comparison helps understand how different movements can arise as responses to similar cultural and artistic contexts, but with distinct approaches.

• Symbolism seeks to capture the essence and human emotions through symbols and metaphors, while Parnassianism focuses on detailed and objective description.

• Symbolism employs a more fluid and melodic language, contrasting with the formal rigidity of Parnassianism.

• Both movements represent a departure from Realism, but while Symbolism turns inward, Parnassianism seeks external aesthetic perfection.

Key Terms

• Symbolism: A literary movement that values the expression of emotion and subjectivity through the use of symbols and sensory images.

• Parnassianism: A literary movement that emphasizes 'art for art's sake', focusing on formal and technical perfection, with an objective approach distant from personal emotions.

• Sonnet: A poetic form frequently used by Parnassians, consisting of 14 lines with specific rhyme schemes.

• Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words or syllables, widely used in Symbolism to enhance the musicality of verses.

To Reflect

• How can the pursuit of formal perfection in Parnassianism be seen as a response to the cultural and scientific context of the 19th century?

• In what way do the themes of Symbolism reflect the existential and spiritual anxieties of the time?

• Can we consider that Symbolism and Parnassianism, despite being opposites, share a common rejection of the growing materialism of industrial society?

Important Conclusions

• Today, we explored two fascinating literary movements: Symbolism and Parnassianism. Each, in its own way, offers a unique window into the anxieties and aesthetics of the late 19th century. Symbolism, with its emphasis on emotion and subjectivity, and Parnassianism, with its focus on formal perfection, show us how literature can be diverse and rich.

• These studies are not just about poetry; they are about seeing the world differently. By understanding these movements, you gain more than literary knowledge; you learn new ways to perceive and interpret the reality around you.

• Recognizing and appreciating these differences between literary movements enriches your understanding of literature and your critical analysis skills, which are valuable both inside and outside the classroom.

To Exercise Knowledge

Personal Poetic Creation: Choose a theme that is meaningful to you and try to write two short poems, one following the principles of Symbolism and the other of Parnassianism. Focus on how the forms and themes of each movement alter the expression of your thoughts. Reading Journal: For a week, read one poem a day alternating between Symbolism and Parnassianism. Write down your impressions and feelings about each poem, focusing on how the different styles affect your interpretation. Comparative Analysis: Choose one Symbolist poem and one Parnassian poem and do a comparative analysis. Identify the stylistic elements of each and discuss how they contribute to the themes and emotional effects of the poems.

Challenge

🔍 Literary Detective Challenge: Receive an anonymous poem from our poetry bank and try to identify whether it is Symbolist or Parnassian, justifying your answer with references to the stylistic elements discussed in class. Submit your analysis to the class platform and compare your ideas with those of your classmates!

Study Tips

• 📚 Create mind maps: When studying literary movements, use mind maps to organize the main characteristics, authors, and works of each. This will help visualize the connections and differences between them.

• 🤔 Personal reflection: After reading a poem, try to write a brief paragraph about how it relates to your personal experiences or feelings. This can help deepen your personal connection to the texts.

• 🔄 Online group discussions: Participate in online forums or discussion groups about literature. Sharing your ideas and listening to others can provide new perspectives and deepen your understanding.