Gente que vira estátua: Imagem, Memória e Civismo – O Monumento ao Expedicionário de Campos dos Goytacazes e o Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial (1942-1960)

Abstract

This work is intended to promote an historiographic anlysis about the pedagogical civic project of social mobilization to worship the nation through the Monument to the Expeditionary of the city of Campos dos Goytacazes and the National Monument of the Dead of Second World War, in Rio de Janeiro. Furthermore, trying to understand the situation that led to the creation of a Brazilian Expeditionary Force (BEF), sent to fight in the Second World War. Also, it is indispensable to investigate the soldiers that composed BEF and the reason why their actions and deaths were worthy of tributes and becoming eternal in bronze. In this regard, is sought to understand how the image of the ex-combatants served the political interests of post war Brazil, since they represented the democratic values. For this purpose, this paper intended to propose an analysis of the Monumento ao Expedicionário that goes beyond its memoriais characters. The utilized method was a bibliographic revision of the relevant productions that contributed to the proposed debate concerning the issues studied, as well as a critical analysis of documental sources, as journals, he biographic book of Campos dos Goytacazes' soldiers and its Golden Book. The interest of the political and military institutions in the both monument was observed, in an attempt to, through the ritual and celebration of the image, consecrate and grant a civil disposition to an historical narrative and its characters made sacred by bronze.