- 1. Rebellion In The Backlands, written by Euclides da Cunha, is a seminal work of Brazilian literature that masterfully intertwines narrative history, sociopolitical analysis, and profound cultural insights. The book centers around the War of Canudos, a conflict that erupted in the late 19th century in the arid backlands of northeastern Brazil, where a charismatic leader named Antonio Conselheiro galvanized a marginalized community against the Brazilian state. Da Cunha's vivid portrayal of the harsh realities of life in the sertão sheds light on the socio-economic inequalities and cultural tensions that plagued the region, emphasizing the stark contrast between the urban elite and the rural poor. The author employs a rich, poetic language to depict the landscape, the people, and their struggles, crafting a narrative that is both a historical account and a philosophical reflection on the nature of rebellion and the human condition. Through his exploration of themes like faith, violence, and the quest for identity, Da Cunha invites readers to confront the complexities of Brazilian society and the enduring legacies of colonialism and exploitation. Rebellion In The Backlands stands not only as a documentation of a specific conflict but also as a timeless commentary on the broader human experience of resistance and resilience.
What is the original Portuguese title of 'Rebellion In The Backlands'?
A) Dom Casmurro
B) Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas
C) Grande Sertão: Veredas
D) Os Sertões
- 2. Who is the central figure leading the rebellion in the book?
A) Lampião
B) Zumbi dos Palmares
C) Tiradentes
D) Antônio Conselheiro
- 3. The book is a foundational work of which Brazilian literary movement?
A) Romanticism
B) Pre-Modernism
C) Modernism
D) Naturalism
- 4. What is the name of the settlement that becomes the rebels' fortified stronghold?
A) Contestado
B) Palmares
C) Serro Azul
D) Canudos
- 5. Against which government institution was the Canudos rebellion primarily directed?
A) The Portuguese Crown
B) The Spanish Empire
C) The Catholic Church
D) The newly established Brazilian Republic
- 6. What is the Brazilian term for the arid, scrubland region where the story takes place?
A) Cerrado
B) Sertão
C) Pantanal
D) Favela
- 7. Euclides da Cunha was originally sent to the region as a what?
A) Religious missionary
B) War correspondent
C) Military commander
D) Government spy
- 8. What major theme does the book explore regarding Brazilian identity?
A) The importance of the monarchy
B) The benefits of European immigration
C) The success of republican modernization
D) The conflict between coastal civilization and the backward interior
- 9. What was a primary cause for people flocking to Antônio Conselheiro?
A) Severe droughts and economic hardship
B) A call to invade neighboring countries
C) An offer of free land from the government
D) A promise of gold and riches
- 10. How many military expeditions were sent to crush Canudos?
A) Two
B) One
C) Ten
D) Four
- 11. What scientific theory heavily influences da Cunha's analysis of the sertanejos?
A) Marxism
B) Determinism
C) Existentialism
D) Freudianism
- 12. The book is critical of the Brazilian army's actions, portraying them as what?
A) Ineffective and weak
B) Neutral observers
C) Excessively brutal and misguided
D) Heroic liberators
- 13. When was 'Os Sertões' first published?
A) 1902
B) 1889
C) 1922
D) 1897
- 14. What is the original language of 'Rebellion In The Backlands'?
A) French
B) Spanish
C) Portuguese
D) English
- 15. Who is the author of 'Rebellion In The Backlands'?
A) Jorge Amado
B) Euclides da Cunha
C) Machado de Assis
D) Paulo Coelho
- 16. What does the Portuguese title 'Os Sertões' translate to in English?
A) The Rebellion
B) The War
C) The People
D) The Backlands
- 17. Besides a war correspondent, what was Euclides da Cunha's profession?
A) Military general
B) Engineer
C) Farmer
D) Priest
- 18. What architectural feature was central to the Canudos settlement?
A) A university
B) A royal palace
C) A church
D) A massive wall
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