ABSTRACT:
This article sought to address some elements of the critical debate elicited by naturalist literature and to associate them with recent discussions in Brazil about the inadequacy of some books for use in primary education, based on the examples of Monteiro Lobato and Adolfo Caminha. Thus, a survey on some accusations, such as obscenity and immorality released against many novels written in the late 19th century, was carried out. These novels aroused reaction and defense by the writers, notably the French Émile Zola, whose novels and theoretical work were extensively discussed in Brazil. Therefore, it was expected to show that the literary text requires a reading able to consider the specificities of its composition, which would result in an approach to the controversial text in education other than its simple condemnation.
Keywords:
Naturalist literature; Education; Novel