O Desvelamento cínico em Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas

Abstract

The present work proposes to analyze the cynicism in the novel Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas (1881) by Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis (1839-1908), as a resource that unveils the social dynamics of the end of the 19th century. Brás Cubas is presented as a deceased author who, assuming the role of narrator and protagonist, at the same time, reports the past events of his life, apparently without any social convention. In a serious and playful game, Brás Cubas presents a dynamic setback. The research is of a qualitative nature and in order to collaborate with the analysis, a theoretical contribution was used to discuss the Machado's novel, as well as the cynicism. For this, the following authors were consulted: Antonio Candido (1977), Jean Starobinski (2016), Luís Filipe Ribeiro (2008), Maria Aparecida Leite (2001), Regina Zilberman (2008), Roberto Schwarz (1987, 2000) and Ronaldes de Melo and Souza (2006). Thus, with a cynicism, Brás Cubas presents us with the way of thinking and acting in a 19th century society, mainly because it occupies a highly prestigious position, mocking itself and others.