Machado de Assis biography: life and legacy of Brazil’s greatest writer

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, often simply known as Machado de Assis, stands as an undeniable giant in Brazilian literature, revered for his profound psychological insight and groundbreaking contributions to realism. His life, marked by humble beginnings and relentless intellectual pursuit, forged a literary legacy that continues to resonate globally.

Born into an era grappling with the vestiges of slavery and profound social inequalities, Machado de Assis transcended his circumstances to become a seminal voice. His works offer a trenchant, often ironic, critique of Brazilian society, exploring universal themes of human nature, identity, and the intricate dance of power.

The early life and formative years of Machado de Assis

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis was born on June 21, 1839, in Morro do Livramento, Rio de Janeiro, then the capital of the Empire of Brazil. His background was notably modest; his father, Francisco José de Assis, was a wall painter and the son of freed slaves, while his mother, Maria Leopoldina da Câmara Machado, was a Portuguese washerwoman from the Azores. Born in the country house of Dona Maria José de Mendonça Barroso Pereira, a benefactor who housed his parents, Joaquim’s early life was marked by the intersection of patronage and poverty, a theme subtly woven into the fabric of his later works. He had a sister who died young, adding to the early hardships.

Machado’s formal education was sporadic and limited. He attended a public school but was not considered an outstanding student. However, his intellect and an insatiable curiosity propelled him towards autodidactism. A significant early influence was Father Silveira Sarmento, who became his Latin teacher and a personal friend, fostering the young Joaquim’s intellectual development. This early exposure to classical studies, particularly through Latin, laid a crucial foundation for his expansive literary and philosophical understanding.

The death of his mother when he was ten years old led his father to remarry Maria Inês da Silva. This period saw Joaquim briefly attend a girls’ school, facilitated by his stepmother who worked there. At night, he embarked on another self-taught journey, learning French from an immigrant baker, a testament to his drive for knowledge. This multilingualism would later broaden his literary horizons, allowing him to engage directly with European intellectual currents.

Machado’s career trajectory began taking shape in his adolescence. He found a patron in Francisco de Paula Brito, a proprietor of a bookstore, newspaper, and typography. It was Brito who published Joaquim’s first known poem, “Ela” (“Her”), in the Marmota Fluminense newspaper on January 12, 1855, when Machado de Assis was merely 15 years old. The following year, he secured an apprenticeship as a typographer at the Imprensa Oficial, the Official Press, where he received encouragement from the newspaper’s director, Manuel Antônio de Almeida, a novelist in his own right. This environment also connected him with future prominent figures like journalist Francisco Otaviano and Quintino Bocaiuva, who would later achieve fame as a republican orator. These early experiences provided Machado de Assis with invaluable insights into the world of publishing and the sociopolitical landscape of his time.

The evolution of literary style and major works

Machado’s literary journey continued to flourish through journalism. In 1858, Francisco Otaviano hired him as a proofreader for the Correio Mercantil. While contributing to the Marmota Fluminense and other periodicals, his financial struggles persisted, often forcing him to subsist on a single meal a day. Yet, these formative years were instrumental in honing his observational skills and critical voice. He embraced a unique blend of realism and psychological depth that would define his later work, often exploring the hypocrisies and nuances of human behavior within the rigid social structures of 19th-century Brazil.

The turning point in Machado de Assis‘s career, and indeed in Brazilian literature, came with the publication of Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas (Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas, also translated as Epitaph of a Small Winner) in 1881. This novel is widely considered the inaugural work of realism in Brazil, departing from the prevailing romanticism with its innovative narrative structure, cynical tone, and direct address to the reader. The protagonist, Brás Cubas, narrates his life from beyond the grave, offering a satirical and unflinching look at society, social climbing, and the futility of human ambition. This work showcased Machado’s profound philosophical insights and his mastery of narrative experimentation, setting a new standard for literary expression.

Following this seminal work, Machado de Assis solidified his reputation with a series of masterpieces. Quincas Borba (also known in English as Philosopher or Dog?) continued his exploration of human nature, sanity, and the complexities of philosophical thought, particularly through the fictitious philosophy of Humanitism. However, it is arguably Dom Casmurro (1899) that cemented his place as an unparalleled literary figure. This novel, a first-person narrative, delves into themes of jealousy, memory, and the ambiguity of truth, leaving readers to perpetually debate the fidelity of its central female character, Capitu. The enduring debate surrounding Capitu’s alleged infidelity is a testament to Machado’s brilliant character development and his ability to craft narratives that resonate deeply with universal human dilemmas.

Beyond his novels, Machado de Assis was also a prolific short story writer and poet. His short stories, characterized by their psychological penetration and sharp social commentary, are equally celebrated. “A Missa do Galo” (“Midnight Mass”), published in 1893, is often hailed as one of the greatest short stories in Brazilian literature, demonstrating his command of concise yet profound storytelling. His output was diverse, encompassing poetry, chronicles, and even plays, reflecting a comprehensive engagement with the literary arts.

The enduring legacy and the Brazilian Academy of Letters

Machado de Assis‘s influence extends far beyond his individual works. He was a pivotal figure in the establishment of the Brazilian Academy of Letters (Academia Brasileira de Letras). Founded in 1897, this institution was conceived as a guardian of the Portuguese language and Brazilian literature, modeled after the Académie Française. Machado de Assis was not only a co-founder but also its first President, a role he held until his death. His leadership provided the nascent Academy with intellectual rigor and prestige, ensuring its foundational principles were rooted in literary excellence and national identity. The Academy became a vital platform for promoting and preserving the literary heritage that Machado de Assis himself so significantly enriched.

Machado’s personal journey, from his birth as the grandson of freed slaves in a society still grappling with the institution of slavery to his ascent as Brazil’s greatest writer, serves as a powerful testament to his genius and resilience. He was a mulatto man in a deeply racialized society, and while his works often did not explicitly address race in overt political terms, contemporary rereadings of his texts increasingly highlight the subtle ways he interrogated social hierarchies and identity in 19th-century Brazil. His experiences with class and racial prejudice, though not always directly stated, profoundly shaped his critical lens, allowing him to offer a nuanced and often ironic critique of the society he inhabited.

His legacy is one of profound innovation and timeless relevance. Machado de Assis mastered language and narrative technique, pushing the boundaries of literary expression and inaugurating a new era for Brazilian literature with his distinctive brand of realism. His characters, from the philosophical Brás Cubas to the enigmatic Capitu, remain etched in the collective consciousness, embodying the complexities and contradictions of human existence. Through his wit, his keen observations, and his unparalleled ability to delve into the human psyche, Machado de Assis continues to challenge readers to question appearances, dissect motivations, and reflect on the intricate tapestry of Brazilian culture and beyond, securing his place as an enduring literary titan.

References

BRITANNICA. Machado de Assis. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Machado-de-Assis EN.WIKIPEDIA. Machado de Assis. Wikipedia, 2023. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MachadodeAssis STUDYLATAM. Machado de Assis: Biography, works, and legacy. StudyLatam, 2023. Available at: https://studylatam.com/machado-de-assis-biography-works-and-legacy/ THE GREAT THINKERS. Machado de Assis: Brazilian Writer. The Great Thinkers, 2023. Available at: https://thegreatthinkers.org/machado-de-assis/

Frequently asked questions

Profile