Of Men and Crabs by Josué de Castro

| Josué de Castro and hunger literature |

| metaphor of crabs in poverty |

| poetic realism and social critique |

1. Plot Summary

The novel follows Zao Paulo, a young boy living in the muddy, impoverished neighborhoods of Recife. As he observes his surroundings, Zao sees people living among crabs, feeding on them, and mimicking their patterns of survival. The crabs emerge as a powerful symbol—representing the repetitive cycles of hunger, decay, and social paralysis.

Through vivid description and emotional nuance, Castro presents poverty not as an abstract issue but as a lived, bodily reality. The story avoids simplistic solutions, forcing readers to witness the quiet, persistent violence of deprivation.

2. Characters and Symbolism

Character	Role and Symbolism
Zao Paulo	Child narrator; symbolizes innocence and observation
The Mirror Man	Mythic figure who reflects suffering back to the viewer
The Crabs	Metaphor for hunger, endurance, and evolutionary stasis
The Neighbors	Embodiments of poverty; each has a distinct, tragic arc

3. Themes and Messages

Hunger as catastrophe: Not statistical, but physical and moral destruction
Human-animal entanglement: Crabs and humans share mud, death, and survival cycles
Invisibility and injustice: Marginalized communities are neglected by systems
Poetic realism: Castro’s lyrical style amplifies empathy and immediacy

4. Literary and Social Impact

First published in 1967, the novel stands as a landmark in hunger literature. Castro’s fusion of science and fiction gave readers a new lens for understanding social inequality.

The English translation was released in 1970. In Iran, the book was translated by Mohammad Ghazi and Monir Jazani (Mehrān), becoming a notable reference in discourses on poverty and dignity.

Conclusion

*Of Men and Crabs* is not merely a novel—it is a philosophical lament and a political testimony. Through metaphor, childhood vision, and emotional realism, Josué de Castro compels readers to re-examine what hunger means and whom it affects. In the forgotten marshes of Recife, the crabs are not just creatures—they are mirrors of human pain.