Reaction To Popular Culture As Mass Culture
It seems pertinent to first address the fact that Bellos is equating Brazil’s defeat by Uruguay in 1950 to Hiroshima. In my personal opinion, it seems that these two “national tragedies” might not be at the same level, seeing as no one’s life was lost as a result of the football game. Still, it does say something about Brazil’s culture, and the importance of football to Brazilians. That there were would be such a strong reaction to this event is representative of something that has become more than just a game—becoming almost like a national religion. This is made evident from the multiple books that were published about this game. The loss definitely permeated through the nation, and became part of the national consciousness. In a way it is the greatest unifier for the nation, and brings a source of national pride; it ties the country together and allows people to show their patriotism. Another sign of football’s omnipresence was how Bellos writes that the Brazilians were called ...