"A epopéia sertaneja de José de Alencar"

This article analyzes the study on popular poetry in Ceará by José de Alencar, O nosso cancioneiro, investigating the meanings contained by the text at two different levels: first, the concept of popular poetry is understood as a central element in the author’s search for originality in national literature; secondly, is argued also that, beyond the author’s intentions, the text furnishes a description of social tensions that shaped that poetry. Both levels of meanings, the article suggests, were related to the conservative project that permeated Alencar’s literary and political activities.