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Augusto dos Anjos

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Augusto dos Anjos was a significant Brazilian poet and professor.

He is widely recognized for his unique and intense literary style. His work is often viewed as a precursor to Modernism in Brazil. This means his writing helped lead the way toward new artistic movements. His poems frequently explore heavy themes like sickness, death, and pessimism. By focusing on these difficult subjects, he created a very distinct voice in Brazilian literature.

The process of his poetic creation was highly physical and vocal. According to his lifelong friend, Órris Soares, Augusto did not always write in silence. He often composed his poems mentally while walking around. He would use hand gestures and recite his verses out loud. While living in Rio de Janeiro, he had even more intense habits. He sometimes sat in a yard and screamed his verses to the air. This method of composing made his poetry feel very alive and active.

Augusto’s poetry is defined by a very specific and unusual vocabulary. He utilized terms from the fields of medicine, science, and philosophy. He also used scatological language, which refers to biological or bodily functions. These scientific and medical words helped him describe the themes of morbidity and decay. This combination of heavy subject matter and technical language set him apart from other writers. It created a style that felt both intellectual and raw at the same time.

Literary experts have debated which specific movement Augusto belongs to. Some critics classify his work as Symbolist in nature. Others argue that his style is more closely related to Parnassianism. However, the critic Ferreira Gullar offers a different perspective. Gullar classifies Augusto dos Anjos as a Pre-Modernist. This classification highlights his role as a bridge between old and new styles.

Augusto was born in 1884 at an engenho named Pau d'Arco. This location was in Cruz do Espírito Santo, within the state of Paraíba. An engenho is a type of plantation or mill. He began his education through homeschooling with his father. Later, he attended the Lyceu Paraibano, where he eventually became a teacher in 1908. He also pursued a legal education at the Faculdade de Direito do Recife. He graduated from his law course in 1907.

His professional life was diverse and spanned several different roles. In 1910, he married Ester Fialho. He began a career as a magistrate and moved to Rio de Janeiro. There, he taught at many different educational institutions. He also published his poems in various newspapers and periodicals. In 1912, he published his only book during his lifetime, titled *Eu*. This book initially received mixed reviews from the public.

After his death, his literary reputation grew significantly. In 1919, Órris Soares republished the book with new content. This new version was titled *Eu e Outras Poesias*. It included several poems that had never been published before. This second release received much better reviews than the original. Augusto died on November 12, 1914, while serving as a headmaster in Leopoldina, Minas Gerais. He passed away due to pneumonia. Today, he remains the patron of the first chair of the Paraiban Academy of Letters.

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