Study Questions

LÈry, Voyage to the Land of Brazil

• Where does Christianity fit into this writing? Why would Professor Shank pick this writing for the topic: "Christians and Heretics, Europeans and Savages?"
• On page 58, LÈry writes with regard to body piercing, "I leave you to judge whether it is pleasant to see them do that, and whether that deforms them or not." Is he really letting the reader judge regarding body piercing or any other aspect of the Tupinamba? Does his writing reflect his own value judgments? If so, how and where?
• How does he depict Tupinamba men and women (and children) differently? How does he compare them to Europeans?
• How does LÈry perceive himself? His fellow travelers? The Tupinamba? How does he define himself in terms of his encounters with: fellow travelers/shipmates, Spaniards/Portuguese, Tupinamba men and women, etc.?What do his depictions of others reveal about himself? (i.e. Who is he and how does he define himself in relation to those around him?)
• What qualities/characteristics does he tend to emphasize? What are specific physical aspects, eating practices, rituals/customs, activities, etc. that he focuses on?
• Does LÈry depict the Tupinamba or anyone else "objectively," without anything else attached to it?