Identidades gaúchas : serranos, pampeanos, missioneiros e outras variações em O Tempo e o Vento

Abstract

The present paper approaches the “gaúchas” identities represented by characters in O Tempo e o Vento in the perspective of their variations, emphasizing the diversity inherent to the constitution of the South-Brazilian human kind. It also highligths the plurality of the rio-grandense social formation, bordering upon land and characterized by the mixture of different cultures. This trait is remarkable in Erico’s historical novel. It is in the esthetic proposal of the narrative: in the constituition, architecture and development of the Terra-Camabrá clan. Through the figure of the mountain region “gaucho”, it is possible to think of which ways several ethnic groups have interacted along time, in the process of occupation, conquer and delimitation of space. Through the counter position of the differences, the several regional identities will be able to “shine with greater splendor”, revealing some local peculiarities; distinctive signs, identity attributes that may delimit and co fuse different southern territor ies.