THE IMAGINARY OF MATHEMATICS IN THE ARITHMETIC WORK OF EMILIA DE MONTEIRO LOBATO

Abstract

This article investigates concepts about the mathematical imaginary at work Aritmética da Emília (Emilia´s Arithmetic) by brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato. Indeed, the book show us some expressions such as "the country of mathematics", "the land of the numbers" in reference to Arithmetic. In fact, title of the book, composed by these two expressions, the term "arithmetic" and "Emilia" suggest. In the words of Lobato, arithmetic is one of the buds of a sour Orange named mathemathics. However, too much reason could not interest the public which Lobato intended his book - children. So the name of that romance is linked to the term "Emilia" to sweeten with the spice of living and questioning imagination, sour rigor of science. Arithmetic of Viscount would be a redundant expression, because this character is a symbol of scientific thought in the writer's work. Certainly, throughout the novel, who plays the role of class teacher is the Viscount. However, the arithmetic comes out under the name of Emilia which changed the name of "true" author in the manuscripts of arithmetic.