Esaú e Jacó was published in 1904 to broad critical acclaim, and a second edition appeared also in 1904. In clear reference to the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau found in Genesis, Esaú e Jacó tells the story of twin brothers Pedro and Paulo who are identical in appearance but who could not be more opposite in personality. The brothers both aspire to the affections of a beautiful and somewhat enigmatic young woman, Flora, who is caught between the brothers’ quarreling. Later, both brothers become politicians allied with opposing political parties. The story’s plot is masterfully and ambiguously narrated in third-person by another character in the story, Counselor Ayres, a retired diplomat close to the family.