Antonio Conselheiro (the character in "Os Sertões" by Euclides da Cunha)

Antonio Conselheiro is a pivotal figure in Euclides da Cunha's "Os Sertões," representing the conflict between traditional values and modernization in Brazil during the late 19th century. He was a charismatic leader who attracted followers with his vision of community and spirituality, often seen as a messianic figure. His leadership culminated in the Canudos War, where his settlement in the Brazilian hinterlands faced violent oppression from the government. Conselheiro symbolizes resistance against social injustices and the struggles of marginalized communities, illuminating the complexities of Brazilian identity and the clash between rural and urban cultures.