Malagueta, Perus e Bacanaço: Cinco tacadas de malandragem

Abstract

The present work analyzes the tale "Malagueta, Perus e Bacanaço", written by João Antonio, from the perspective of the multiple facets of "Malandragem". The tale recounts the pilgrimage of three vagabonds, snooker experts, through various neighborhoods of São Paulo city on a Saturday night. Although the achievement of the other at the pool table constitutes the leitmotiv of the narrative, the object analysis of this work also intends to identify other aspects that belong to the usual concept of "Malandragem" , such as the gift of gab, the pimping and its own ethical code. As will be shown, it is precisely the unrestricted obedience to this ethical code by the boy named Perus who conducts the narrative simultaneously at its apex and its outcome. In order to give chronological depth to the study, a report on the origin of the "Malandragem", especially considering its close connection with the samba, based on the historiographical research undertaken by Dealtry (2009) and the conceptions of Schwarcz (1995) and Candido (1970), as well as the illustrative mentioning of some rogue characters that appears on important literary works, compose the introductory ballast of João Antônios’s tale. 7