Samba as Representation of Brazilianness in the Popular Songs Rhetoric

Abstract

This article aims to examine the hegemonic representations of what is said “to be Brazilian”. It proposes the rhetorical analysis of the lyrics of a couple of Brazilian popular songs in order to present the psychosocial aspects that bring to light the representations of social identity. The statement of identity and symbolic bonds through musicality exposes the desirable of the groups who share their value. The construct of social identity linked to nationality is a belief reinforced by social practices which relies on the metaphor that defines Music as the “people’s soul”.

Keywords

• social identity
• rhetoric
• social representations
• popular music
• nationalism