Brazil

Brazil – Not Just a War of its Own

If an educated history professor with knowledge of South America were asked to explain Brazil in a single sentence, something along the lines of "Brazil is a country of hidden turmoil, poverty, crime, drugs, promiscuity, and racial conflicts yet some find it to be beautiful due to its diverse background," would be relevant to the stereotype of the third world country (The Economist). Some say Brazil is a beautiful country due to its white beaches and clear water, but if one looks deep enough into the cities, they will see the truth that lies in the shantytowns of Brazil. John Updike, a talented American author, paints a picture of how Brazil fits the stereotype of a third world country. In his hit book, Brazil, Updike uses Rio de Janeiro as a playground, where young Tristão meets Isabel on the Copacabana beach. Isabel and Tristão are from different social classes and different races that symbolize Brazil in general, due to the mixture of backgrounds. In just the first three chapters, it is simple to notice that Updike is attempting to portray Brazilian life through these two separate entities and express how just two lives can characterize Brazil's conflicting issues. Updike is also proving that Brazil fits with any other country, where people have to make decisions of the own regardless of the country's standard.

Young Tristão is a wreck. If one could imagine a hoodlum brought up in a dingy slum, who turns out on the streets thieving to make a living, Tristão would come to mind. The problem begins with Tristão's mother. His mother is nothing more than a whore; one who sleeps with men not for the money, but for the joy of sex. She has conceived at least two children, and these children will never have an idea of who their father's are, because of her carelessness. Due to the color of their skin, the only thing they may know of their father is that they are of a different race: Tristão mostly African, and Euclides partly Indian. Not only does she prostitute herself, but she drinks herself away to the point of no return. She does not care for her children, so they have had to raise themselves. Tristão's half-brother Euclides follows the footsteps of his brother. To survive, Tristão rummages the streets of Rio day and night, robbing people of their possessions, hoping to hit the jackpot one day.