Stefan Zweig: A Vision of Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT Stefan Zweig, born in Vienna in 1881 and died by suicide in Petropolis/Brazil in 1942, to this day is one of the best known European authors. But the many biographies which have been written about him usually give short shrift to his stay in Brazil. Zweig chose Brazil as his country of exile because he had fallen in love with it. Before he came to settle, he had written a travelogue, Brazil, A Land of the Future, which appeared in six languages at the time of his arrival. His vision of Brazil, however, inspired by politically motivated misinformation, was seriously flawed which then upended his hopes of transplanting European culture to his new home. This article argues that this realization contributed to his decision to end his life.