Machado de Assis’s chronicles and Almeida Garrett’s feuilleton romances: two pioneer experiences

Abstract

The article tries to show the relationship between journalism and literature, from two reference cases: in Portugal, Almeida Garrett; in Brazil, Machado de Assis. It is known that most constant and main occupation of Machado de Assis was the journalistic chronicle, which he held throughout his life. From there he drew sustenance. More than that, in chronic he exercised style and themes that develop later in stories and, above all, in the novel. As for Almeida Garrett, already in maturity, published “Travels on my land” in serials in the Journal Lisbonense Universal, not because he had some difficulty finding editor, but because, as is proposed here, the narrative form adopted, the serial corresponded to writer’s goals, to make a kind of political chronicle without risk of persecution by the then authorities. In both cases it is intended to conclude that the relationship between journalism and literature are narrower than appears at first sight and, above all, journalism allowed the literary dissemination through the spaces of the so journals.