Entre o pão e a farinha: viagens através da cultura européia e da mesa brasileira no século XIX

Abstract

“Between bread and flour” is a study of the Brazilian culture seen through the trip reports of foreigners that came to Brazil during the first half of the nineteenth century. The theme of our research is the way people nourished themselves, including the products, how and where they were prepared and consumed, the objects involved in this process and the behaviors at the table. Our studies were guided by the main elements of reflection in the works of Roger Chartier 4, Norbert Elias 5 and Mary Louise Pratt 6, and their respective concepts of “representation”, “civilizatory process” and “transculturation”. The view of the Brazilian society held by foreigners and revealed in the reports is of European, or so-called “civilized”, superiority in intellectual and technological aspects, as well as in manners. On the other hand, the cultural differences and especially the variety of foodstuffs found here stimulated the curiosity of many travelers and of the Europeans who read their reports.