A presença de Gandhi na literatura de Cecília Meireles

Abstract

Meireles’ literaly work, especially the poetry, is well known by most of national literature appreciators, particularly for books like “Viagem” and “Romanceiro da Inconfidência”. However, there is still an insufficiently studied aspect of her work by critics and the literary academy: the intensive relation that she established with the Indian culture. Therefore, it is intended to present, in her production, specifically on her chronicles and poetry, the most defining philosophical principles from Mahatma Gandhi, India’s most important political and religious leader from the 20th century, i.e. Satyagraha – the seek for the Truth and Ahimsa – the Non-Violence principle. It is also known that this massive intercultural relation with the country began in the early years of Meireles and covered, directly or indirectly, all her literary work, either on the seek for self-knowledge and detachment or on the attempt to apply Gandhi’s ethical values on her own life, which is reflected in her literature. Thus this dissertation contributes, in the context of intercultural relations, to the academic discussion about the strong presence of Gandhi on the work of one of the most renowned writers of Portuguese language, Cecília Meireles.