An author’s influence can be measured by how much others imitate his eccentricities. Except for Gonçalves Dias, probably no Brazilian writer ever saw a real Indian. Even so, Indianist literature became fashionable, spawning dozens of idle, almost unreadable works, because they were obviously false. All these names of plants, animals, and tribes only harmonize with Portuguese vernacular tradition when such harmony represents nothing more than the author’s inner essence. Obviously, this is an eccentricity, which suits Gonçalves Dias well because it could, itself, be called Gonçalves Dias. How many, however, did not notice this! And so, with a view of the beautiful Guanabara Bay, they spent their leisure time talking about Indians they had never seen! Fortunately, the best learned from their failed attempts, and an angel convinced them that, to make good art, it is enough to take as raw material what the eyes can see.