Sensations and movements – the journey in Toda a América

Abstract

The concept of journey relies on two bases. The first one consists in being in movement, the periplus itself. The second basis aims the self recognition through the knowledge of others, which also includes a collective identification, inserted in the idea of nationality and the universalist project, as occurred in the 1920s. Considering the identitary aspect involving the act of travelling, it was adopted the habit of writing letters as a procedure of approach and exchange of news, experiences and sensations. These bases were not left out of account by Ronald de Carvalho (1893-1935), a writer who incorporated a part of the modernist project platform in the diplomatic exercise. In this context, he wrote Toda a América (1926), a book of poetry. Dialoguing with some subjects of the literary tradition, the apprehended poetic speech suggests displacements, not only in space, but also includes a more extensive and symbolic dynamics, which points out the sensorial comprehension of Brazil integrated to the American characteristics. Being the subject conducted in this direction, this current essay has the purpose of examining Toda a América. The aim is not to define it but to submit it to the requirements of the modernist program in progress.