The urban short stories of Dyonelio Machado, Antonio de Alcantara Machado, and Mario de Andrade

This dissertation analyzes the artistic expression and exploration of Brazilian urban reality in the short stories of Dyonelio Machado, Antonio de Alcantara Machado, and Mario de Andrade. The authors' fictional portrayal of the urban environment of the 1920's and 1930's is compared with the social reality of Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo, their cities of residence. The themes, narrative strategies, and stylistic and linguistic elements of the short stories which constitute or enhance their urban nature are examined. An analysis is presented of the authors' differing perspectives on the societal ramifications of Brazil's emergence as a modern urban nation, as revealed in their short story sequences. The presentation of the social reality of Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo in this study is based on census data and social science research. The thematic and stylistic analysis of the short stories is founded on insights gleaned from the works of several critics of the genre. This eclectic approach is designed to achieve coherent investigation of all components of the narratives which form their urban character. Chapter one presents a socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural sketch of Porto Alegre, and the provincial capital's fictional representation in the short stories of Dyonelio Machado. Chapter two analyzes his narratives, heretofore ignored by critics. Chapter three provides a synopsis of Sao Paulo's development as a metropolis, and describes the city, its population, and its cultural environment in the period in question. Chapter four first discusses Antonio de Alcantara Machado's fictional portrayal of Sao Paulo, and then analyzes the role of the city in his short stories. Chapter five presents Mario de Andrade's recreation of Sao Paulo as a setting for his short stories, and examines the author's urban perspective in his narratives.