City figurations: a look for literature as source of urban history

Abstract

In the last decades it is noted a renewed interest on the possible connections between History and Literature. However, the outcome of these connections remains largely a challenge. From the point of view of Urban History, the incorporation of literary genres and discourses not specialized to traditional sources collection, in addition to expanding the mobilized documentary catalog, has also contributed to the consolidation of a subfield, Urban Cultural History, whose analytical perspective expands the ways of understanding the urban artifact. This article proposes a reflection on the potential of the use of Literature as a source for Urban History, from three inputs. Initially, it presents a review of two works today classic that touches the theme. Then, it seeks to recover some references within the field of history of the city in Brazil. Finally, it reflects on three author’s works on the subject involved, in order to present some partial conclusions that can point a working path.