Denial and exaltation of the São Paulo explorers in the discourse of Priest Pierre-François-Xavier de Charlevoix, D. José Vaissette and Gaspar da Madre de Deus (1756-1774)

Abstract

This article discusses the narratives of the priests Pierre-François-Xavier de Charlevoix, D. José Vaisseste, and Gaspar da Madre de Deus on the explorers of São Paulo between 1756 and 1774. It seeks to understand how these discursive constructions either exalted or denied the actions of the explorers based on opposing sensibilities, namely the feelings of overoptimistic patriotism and resentment, in the construction of the national identity.

Both feelings are recurrent sensitivities in the formation of the Brazilian society. The bonds between the citizens and the nation have added up to the habit of excessively overvaluing these bonds. In fact, they came from a model of history that exalted the heroes while revering nature.