13.2 Machado de Assis's Short Stories and Novels
2 min read•july 25, 2024
Machado de Assis's works are a treasure trove of social criticism and psychological exploration. His novels and short stories shine a light on class inequality, racial issues, and the complexities of human nature in post-colonial Brazil.
Machado's narrative techniques were groundbreaking for his time. He used nonlinear storytelling, unreliable narrators, and metafiction to create complex, layered narratives that continue to captivate readers and influence literature today.
Themes and Narrative Techniques
Themes in Machado de Assis's works
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Publication: The Collected Stories of Machado de Assis View original
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Top images from around the web for Themes in Machado de Assis's works
La antigua Biblos: El alienista - Machado de Assis View original
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180 anos de Machado de Assis! — Arquivo Nacional View original
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Publication: The Collected Stories of Machado de Assis View original
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La antigua Biblos: El alienista - Machado de Assis View original
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180 anos de Machado de Assis! — Arquivo Nacional View original
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- Social criticism illuminates class inequality, racial issues in post-colonial Brazil, and hypocrisy of the elite (, Quincas Borba)
- Psychological exploration delves into human nature, motivations, unreliable narrators, and inner conflicts (The Alienist, Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas)
- Existentialism and philosophical questions probe meaning of life and nature of reality (Philosopher or Dog?)
- Irony and satire critique societal norms and mock human vanity (The Mirror)
- Love and relationships examine infidelity, jealousy, and power dynamics in marriages (Dom Casmurro, A Chapter of Hats)
Machado's narrative techniques
- Nonlinear storytelling employs flashbacks, flash-forwards, and fragmented narratives (Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas)
- Metafiction creates self-referential narratives and breaks the fourth wall (Dom Casmurro)
- Unreliable narrators present subjective perspectives and contradictory information (The Alienist)
- Irony and humor weave subtle sarcasm and dark comedy throughout works (The Psychiatrist)
- Intertextuality references other literary works and alludes to historical events (Quincas Borba)
- Stream of consciousness depicts interior monologues and (The Mirror)
Literary Significance and Social Commentary
Impact on Latin American literature
- Pioneered in Brazilian literature shifted from to psychological realism ()
- Innovative narrative techniques introduced unreliable narrators and experimented with form and structure (Dom Casmurro)
- Explored Brazilian portrayed post-colonial society and examined racial and social issues (Iaiá Garcia)
- Gained international recognition through translation and influenced world literature (The Alienist)
- Founded Brazilian Academy of Letters promoted Brazilian literature and established literary standards
Social and psychological insights
- Critiqued Brazilian society exposed social inequalities and examined power structures (Quincas Borba)
- Developed psychological complexity of characters explored human motivations and depicted internal conflicts (The Alienist)
- Examined gender roles and expectations portrayed women's limited social mobility and critiqued patriarchal norms (Helena)
- Explored racial dynamics in post-abolition Brazil subtly examined racial identity and commented on social mobility for Afro-Brazilians (Iaiá Garcia)
- Presented moral ambiguity through characters with conflicting values and explored ethical dilemmas (The Fortune-Teller)
- Critiqued scientific determinism expressed skepticism towards positivist philosophy and questioned rational explanations for human behavior (The Alienist)
Key Terms to Review (18)
Bento Santiago: Bento Santiago is a central character in Machado de Assis's works, representing the complexities of identity, social class, and personal conflict in 19th-century Brazil. His character often serves as a lens through which the author explores themes such as hypocrisy, ambition, and the challenges faced by those navigating a rigid class structure. Bento's experiences and internal struggles highlight the contradictions of Brazilian society during this period.
Brazilian Modernism: Brazilian Modernism refers to a cultural movement that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by a break from traditional forms of art and literature, embracing new styles, themes, and techniques that reflect Brazilian identity and experience. This movement sought to establish a national identity distinct from European influences, encouraging experimentation and the incorporation of local culture into artistic expression.
Brazilian Society in the 19th Century: Brazilian society in the 19th century was characterized by a complex social structure influenced by colonial legacies, slavery, and the gradual transition to a republic. The period saw significant social stratification with a wealthy elite, a burgeoning middle class, and a large population of enslaved Africans, which impacted cultural production and identity. This dynamic setting profoundly shaped the literature of the time, including the works of notable authors.
Capitu: Capitu is a central character in Machado de Assis's novel 'Dom Casmurro,' known for her enigmatic personality and complex relationships, particularly with the protagonist, Bentinho. Often interpreted as a symbol of femininity and ambiguity, Capitu's character raises questions about trust, fidelity, and the nature of perception within the narrative. Her defining features include her famous 'oblique' eyes, which contribute to the novel's themes of jealousy and uncertainty.
Dom casmurro: Dom Casmurro is a novel written by Brazilian author Machado de Assis, published in 1899. The story is narrated by Bentinho, who reflects on his life and relationships, particularly focusing on his obsession with his childhood friend, Capitu. This narrative technique allows the novel to explore themes of jealousy, memory, and the unreliability of perception, which are crucial in understanding the depth of Machado de Assis's literary contributions.
Feminist reading: Feminist reading is an analytical approach that examines literature through the lens of feminist theory, focusing on how texts represent gender, power dynamics, and the experiences of women. This method seeks to uncover underlying biases and assumptions within literary works, challenging patriarchal norms and highlighting the voices and perspectives of female characters and authors.
Identity: Identity refers to the understanding and expression of who individuals or groups are, often shaped by culture, history, and personal experiences. It plays a crucial role in literature as characters navigate their own identities amid changing social dynamics and historical contexts.
Literary irony: Literary irony is a device used in literature where the intended meaning is opposite to the literal meaning. It often reveals deeper truths about characters or situations, creating a contrast that enhances the narrative. In many stories, especially those by authors like Machado de Assis, irony can highlight societal contradictions and provoke thought about moral dilemmas and human behavior.
Memórias póstumas de brás cubas: Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas, or The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas, is a groundbreaking novel by Brazilian author Machado de Assis published in 1881. The novel is notable for its innovative narrative style, featuring a deceased protagonist who reflects on his life and societal issues, thus merging elements of realism and existentialism while critiquing Brazilian society of the time.
Narrative ambiguity: Narrative ambiguity refers to the uncertainty or vagueness in storytelling, where the author's intentions, character motivations, or plot developments may not be clearly defined, leaving room for multiple interpretations. This technique can create depth and complexity in a narrative, encouraging readers to engage more actively with the text and draw their own conclusions. In the context of Machado de Assis's works, narrative ambiguity often reflects the intricacies of human psychology and societal norms.
Narrative perspective: Narrative perspective refers to the vantage point or angle from which a story is told, influencing how events, characters, and themes are presented to the reader. It shapes readers' understanding of the story by determining what information is shared, how it's conveyed, and whose voice is prioritized, impacting emotional engagement and interpretation.
Post-colonialism: Post-colonialism is an intellectual framework that examines the cultural, political, and social impacts of colonialism on formerly colonized countries and their people. It explores themes of identity, power dynamics, and the lingering effects of colonization, often highlighting the voices and perspectives of those who were marginalized or oppressed during colonial rule. This framework is particularly relevant in understanding the literature that emerged in Latin America during and after colonial times.
Postcolonial critique: Postcolonial critique is an analytical approach that examines the effects of colonialism on cultures, identities, and literature, focusing on the power dynamics and cultural interactions between colonizers and the colonized. It explores how colonial histories shape contemporary narratives, highlighting themes of resistance, identity, and the complexities of cultural representation in postcolonial contexts.
Psychological realism: Psychological realism is a literary technique that focuses on the inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations of characters, aiming to depict their psychological states in a realistic and nuanced manner. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of characters' complexities and conflicts, often reflecting societal issues through their personal experiences and mental landscapes.
Realism: Realism is a literary movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, characterized by a focus on representing everyday life and society without idealization or romanticism. This movement aimed to depict ordinary characters and events in a truthful manner, emphasizing the mundane realities of life, including social issues, human struggles, and the complexity of individual experiences.
Realist literature: Realist literature is a literary movement that emerged in the 19th century, focusing on the depiction of everyday life and ordinary characters in a truthful and unembellished manner. It seeks to portray reality as it is, often highlighting social issues and the complexities of human experience without romanticism or idealization. This approach is evident in the works of various authors who aimed to reflect the society they lived in, often addressing themes such as class, gender, and morality.
Romanticism: Romanticism was a cultural, artistic, and literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century and flourished throughout the 19th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and nature as a response to the industrial revolution and the rationalism of the Enlightenment. It prioritized personal experience and intuition over classical forms, leading to a rich exploration of identity and the human condition.
Social inequality: Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges among individuals or groups in society. This concept is often highlighted in literature to reveal the disparities between different social classes, races, and genders, illustrating how these divisions affect people's lives and interactions. In many narratives, social inequality serves as a critical backdrop for character development and plot progression, often driving the themes of conflict and societal critique.