Cross-Confessional Differences and Notions of Empire: An Analysis of José de Anchieta’s Epic Poem

The Atlantic history model, or the study of economic and cultural connections that span the Atlantic, is incomplete as a cross-confessional view of history has been ignored in Latin America. Narratives of evangelization in Brazil offer either a Catholic or a Protestant perspective on the missions, but rarely a cross-confessional analysis. Consequently we have come to misunderstand the Christianization of Brazil and one aspect of Atlantic history. 

This paper examines how confessional differences shaped imperialism and the process of colonizing indigenous peoples, using the case study of Guanabara Bay where the French Protestants and Portuguese Catholics were present.  I will analyze Jesuit notions of empire and evangelization, through the medium of the epic poem.  José de Anchieta, S.J.’s first work, De Gestis Mendí de Saa, was the first epic poem concerning the American continent ever to be published.  The poem recounts the first three years of the Portuguese Governor General Mem de Sá’s time in Brazil, while the Portuguese fought against the French presence in Guanabara Bay.  Anchieta reinforces Mem de Sá’s role as colonizer of both his indigenous enemies and the French.  The classical tradition is utilized in new ways as Anchieta realizes that he must preach Catholicism to the indigenous peoples while simultaneously fighting Protestant heresy.