Forest of sombrian signs: introduction to the Amazon by Inglês de Sousa

Abstract

Inglês de sousa considers the nineteenth century Amazon not from a lyrical or dazzled look; he describes it as the result of a historical course which, beginning with the European’s violent conquest, generates poverty and degradation, as opposed to the wealth of those who, driven by economic gain, achieve profit and status. The Amazonian sites represented in Inglês de Sousa’s books always show the brunt of social inequality, precarious infrastructure and political strife. The political factor appears as a pernicious motive of the situation of decay and deterioration of the riverside communities. This work invites us to reflect on the degradation of the region, as a result of political and economic actions and processes recorded throughout history.