The Brazilian "cordial man"

Even in the limited time we have spent in Brazil, the significant cultural differences between Brazil and the U.S. have become increasingly evident.  Much of this was well-encapsulated in the movie we watched last week, "Que Horas Ela Volta?"  Most notably, certain aspects of the film seem to emulate some of the characteristics of the Brazilian "cordial man," as described in our reading discussing the famous book, Roots of Brazil.

Val, the protagonist of the film, sacrifices much and more in the name of protecting those closest to her, particularly her daughter.  The reading discusses how Brazilians adhering to the "cordial man" narrating may tend to focus more on "the wellbeing of a small family nucleus" rather than a larger group.  Val regularly submits herself to demeaning treatment, particularly from her boss, Dona Barbara, in order to retain her job and her ability to support her family no matter the cost to her dignity.  Val's daughter Jessica has a lot of difficulty understanding why she puts up with so much, resulting in a lot of tension between them.  Until the very end of the movie, Val shows no animosity towards the way that she and her fellow maid friends are treated.

The major difference in attitude between Val and Jessica is perhaps indicative of changing times in Brazil, as perhaps the "cordial man" is becoming less and less prevalent in future generations.  Even Val comes to recognize the need to change her dynamic as she triumphantly invades Dona Barbara's pool and goes on to quit her job.  However, even if times are somewhat changing, the "cordial man" and the need to prioritize one's smaller family unit are still fundamental aspects of Brazilian culture.