Introduction, or about Second Echelons

Abstract

This article focuses a particular aspect of Antonio Candido’s work, having the book “Um funcionário da monarquia: ensaios sobre o segundo escalão” as object and guidance. More than a biography, the trajectory of Nicolau Tolentino may be seen as a kind of pretext for the critic to deal with different subjects: family, conservadorism, radicalism, “favor”. All of them may be understood as important concepts that define a particular way of making politics in the Brazilian empire.