The sorcerous-penned writer: João Köpke (1852-1926)

Abstract

João Köpke's manuscript “ Versos para os pequeninos ” (Verses for the little ones – n.d.) and a printed copy of his Locuções, Proloquios e Pensamentos (Locutions, Adages and Thoughts − 1915) were found amidst his family's personal collection. This paper presents an exploratory study of both writings in the perspective of Cultural History. It follows two distinct yet complementary investigative lines: a descriptive study introduces the readers to the materiality of the works, while a more analytical and interpretative analysis raises questions about how they were arranged into a given composition for their readers and situates them in the educational and cultural context in which they were produced. It is concluded that Versos para os pequeninos and Locuções, Proloquios e Pensamentos fairly present unique compositional forms when compared to the printed production intended for schools at the turn of the 20th century and that their author's role within didactic literature needs to be further explored. Little studied by researchers, these writings show João Köpke as a writer who deliberately works with both language and the creation of a visual/editorial project fitted to his text to transcend contents and the school practices traditionally meant to instil moral values in children.