Rebellion in the Backlands: Analysis of Major Characters
"Rebellion in the Backlands" explores the tumultuous conflict in Brazil during the late 19th century, focusing on the major characters involved in the backlands rebellion and their motivations. Central to the narrative is Antonio Vicente Mendes Maciel, known as Antonio Conselheiro, a former store clerk who transforms into a religious leader and gathers a following of marginalized individuals, including outlaws, in Canudos. The government's military responses to Conselheiro's movement are represented through various leaders, each facing their own challenges and ultimately meeting defeat.
Pajehu, a formidable and brave guerrilla leader, stands out for his tactical prowess against government troops. Conversely, Lieutenant Manuel da Silva Pires Ferreira and Major Febronio de Brito lead the first two failed government expeditions, suffering humiliating retreats. Colonel Antonio Moreira Cesar’s overconfidence in the third expedition results in disastrous consequences, while General Arthur Oscar de Andrade Guimarães, despite his military reputation, also fails to effectively address the rebellion. Finally, Marshal Carlos Machado de Bittencourt emerges as a more pragmatic leader, ultimately commanding the forces that lead to Canudos' surrender. This analysis highlights the complex interplay between religious fervor, social injustice, and military strategy amid the backdrop of a society in turmoil.
Rebellion in the Backlands: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Euclides da Cunha
First published: Os sertões, 1902 (English translation, 1944)
Genre: Novel
Locale: The backlands of Northeast Brazil
Plot: Historical
Time: The 1870's through the 1890's, especially October, 1896, to October, 1897
Antonio Vicente Mendes Maciel (vee-SEHN-teh MEHNdehs mah-see-EHL), also called Antonio Conselheiro (kohn-sehl-HA-roh), the fanatic religious leader of the backlands rebellion. Quiet and withdrawn, this former store clerk vanishes into the backlands in the aftermath of a disastrous marriage, only to reappear, years later, transformed into an ascetic and emaciated anchorite. Roaming from town to town, Maciel, now known as Conselheiro (the counselor), preaches an apocalyptic religious message and is asked to settle disputes. In the process, he attracts an increasingly large following of the dispossessed poor, including numerous outlaws, who eventually settle with him in Canudos in 1893. Threatened by what they perceive as Conselheiro's antirepublican message, the state and federal governments organize four different expeditions to destroy the rebel town. Conselheiro dies two weeks before the final surrender of Canudos. His body is later exhumed so that his brain can be studied scientifically.
Pajehu (pah-heh-EW), the guerrilla leader of the sertanejos. A notorious bandit, this tall and athletic man of mixed race exhibits extraordinary bravery and superb tactical skills in leading the rebels against the government troops. He dies in July, 1897, in one of the many fierce battles during the government's fourth expedition against Canudos.
Lieutenant Manuel da Silva Pires Ferreira (PEE-rehs feh-RA-rah), the leader of the government's doomed first expedition. He sets out from Bahia with roughly one hundred troops. Before they are able to reach Canudos, they are ambushed by the rebels in Uauá. Although casualties are relatively few, Pires Ferreira's troops must face a demoralizing retreat.
Major Febronio de Brito (feh-BROH-nee-oh deh BREEtoh), the leader of the government's doomed second expedition. A major in the Ninth Battalion of Infantry in Bahia, de Brito departs for Canudos in late 1896. Ambushed by the backlanders, de Brito's troops are completely disabled and, like Pires Ferreira's, forced into a humiliating retreat.
Colonel Antonio Moreira Cesar (moh-RA-rah SEH-sahr), the leader of the government's doomed third expedition. Diminutive in stature, with bandy legs and a weak chest, Moreira Cesar has a physical appearance that belies his ruthless, ambitious, and vengeful personality. After one of his frequent epileptic seizures, Moreira Cesar makes a sudden decision to leave for Canudos earlier than planned. His over-confidence and impetuosity prove to be his downfall. Displaying downright contempt for the backlanders, Moreira Cesar sees his victory as certain. After some initial success, his exhausted and hungry troops eventually are driven back by the crafty and resilient backlanders. Moreira Cesar is wounded in combat and dies. As his discouraged troops retreat, they are attacked repeatedly by the backlanders, who inflict considerable casualties. In the confusion, Moreira Cesar's body is left by the roadside.
General Arthur Oscar de Andrade Guimarães (ahnDRAH-deh gee-ma-RAYNSH), the leader of the govern-ment's doomed fourth expedition. A highly respected officer with a knightly conception of the military career, the general sees his expedition as a crusade to save the young republic from the supposedly antirepublican rebels of Canudos. Although known for his restless, bold character and for his incomparable tactical skills, Oscar has his mind so set on completely destroying Canudos that he uncharacteristically fails to act soon enough. As his troops are encircled and immobilized by the rebels at Favella, Oscar decides simply to hold out and wait for reinforcements.
General Claudio do Amaral Savaget (ah-mahr-AHL sahvah-ZHEH), the leader of the second column of the fourth expedition. More flexible than all the other commanders, Savaget, although attacked on his way to Canudos, is able to reach Oscar's entrenched forces, to free them from their precarious position, and to force the rebels to retreat into Canudos. After he is wounded at Cocorobo in June, 1896, he leaves the front.
Marshal Carlos Machado de Bittencourt (mah-CHAHdoh deh bee-tehn-KOHRT), the war minister and eventual commander of the fourth expedition. Cold, quiet, calculating, and practical, he lacks the disastrous overconfidence of his predecessors. He plans the final attack on Canudos in an organized and methodical way. He is in command when Canudos finally surrenders on October 5, 1897.