Geografia e literatura: diferentes abordagens do sertão como paisagem e personagem

Abstract

The concept of sertão has always played a central role in understanding the process of spatial production and the geographical landscape throughout Brazil’s socio-territorial formation. From its colonial origins to the republican periods—which were marked by a search for the roots of Brazilian identity in an almost crystallized past—the sertão has been interpreted from various perspectives. However, geographical science has not always adequately valued the intrinsic human aspect of this category, often prioritizing other dimensions. Given the complexity of conducting a comprehensive analysis of the transformations imposed on space and its multiple layers, this research is based on the humanistic method, which emphasizes the appreciation of human experience and perception in relation to spatial phenomena. The main objective is to investigate the concept of sertão in its entirety, exploring its key historical milestones, significant events, and the evolution of its representation and configuration in contemporary times. Adopting the interdisciplinary approach characteristic of the humanistic method, the study employs the literary geography approach and, through it, seeks to understand the conceptual evolution of the sertão from a human perspective, considering its cultural, symbolic, and spatial manifestations. Thus, this work proposes a broadened and sensitive reflection on the sertão, integrating different fields of knowledge and perspectives