João Cruz e Sousa (1861-1898) is the poet who introduced Symbolism in Brazil. He is considered the greatest black poet in Portuguese language. Cruz e Sousa dealt with themes related to death, existence of an immortal soul, voluptuous sex. These themes were represented by images which dealt with, transparency, ghostly apparitions, light and darkness. Born in Desterro (Florianópolis) he suffered inteletual and racial isolation culmination with his tragic death in Rio de Janeiro.
