The rest is not silence: controversy and polarization of the “field” intellectual in Porto Alegre at the 1940’s

Abstract

Based on the writings of Jean-François Sirinelli and Christophe Charle this paper reviews the controversy writer of Erico Verissimo with Fr Fritzen S.J. from the analysis of the groups involved and the content of the manifestos. This controversy relates to the abuse – crime triggered by the writer against Jesuit priest, after publishing an article that berates the content of the work of Verissimo “The rest is silence.” In addition, this fact brought to public intellectuals South – “riograndenses” in solidarity with one or other of those involved in this matter. Thus, it is argued in this article, based on analysis of social and intellectual foundations of both groups, this fact reveals the structure of the intellectual sphere in the period, monopolized by one side by the Catholics of the Marian Congregations and secondly by the group of Editora Globo, more heterogeneous socially and ideologically. Moreover, these manifestos reveal positions on the ideological context of the period, especially the Second World War.