Abolitionism Castelho Summary

Celso Thomas Castilho’s article, Performing Abolitionism, Enacting Citizenship: The Social Construction of Political Rights in 1880s Recife, Brazil, provides an understanding of influence of performance on the abolitionist movement and politics in Recife, Brazil. The purpose of this article is to see political activism and influence on abolitionism from a different lens. Castilho gives great details about the abolitionist movement in Brazil, while drawing distinct connections between abolitionist performance and theater. “Performance was a conspicuous feature of abolitionist mobilization, a form of expressive politics that invented ideas of nation, race, and citizenship.”1 The article maintains focus on the main subject of abolitionism in Brazil. In regards to subject matter, this article is very useful because it expresses a different perspective unusual to most research done of abolitionism in Brazil. The sources used for this article somewhat well chosen. Most of the articles either strictly deal with abolitionism or strictly with dance. This allowed Castilho to developed his connection between the topics and formulate a unique perspective that has not been researched before. He was required to rely on his on analytical …show more content…
The study of abolitionism in Brazil traditionally focuses around political, economical, and social influence. This article shows the power of popular culture’s ability to affect society. This is an important development in a time where “practicing politics did not include the theater or carnival as sites to debate antislavery, national identity, and citizenship”.5 This article not only describe the influence of performance on the abolitionist movement, it specifically follows the performer Senespleda and her connection to the cause. The contribution of her story can be used and developed into further