THE RELIGION AS A SOURCE OF MEANING IN THE POETRY OF “SEU FREITAS”

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze extracts from the book Poesias, by Joaquim José Oliveira Freitas – known merely as Seu Freitas – with a focus on aspects related to its symbolism, highlighting essential characteristics for the understanding of religion as a provider of meaning and above all, as a way of expressing a whole experience – perhaps, the religious experience. To this end, we seek to identify and extract from the set of 208 poetry fragments that allow articulation with the religious aspect, whether explicitly placed or even tangentially present. In the first part of the text, the discussion about the meaning is assisted by authors from the anthropology of religion and theology. Then, after putting the author and work in context, the conquered conceptual categories are revisited in the light of the material from Seu Freitas. Finally, assuming a preliminary position between scientific discussion and tribute, the text also intends to contribute to expanding the reach of the legacy of an author of Brazilian popular culture whose artistic expression remains relatively ignored.