Abstract
In this article I address a long-standing issue in Machadian studies, that of the relationship between philosophy and literature in the fiction of Machado de Assis. I start by acknowledging my indebtedness to the studies that Abel Barros Baptista has recently dedicated to the Brazilian author. In his article, “A Reforma Hermenêutica: Acerca da legibilidade de Dom Casmurro,” Baptista implies an anti-hermeneutical reading of Machado’s novels and short stories in order to advocate for a “hermeneutical reform.” With his contribution in mind, I proceed to question the theoretical and critical presuppositions of some of the most canonical readings that have been proposed to address the focus of this essay. I conclude by proposing a reading of the short story “O espelho: Esboço de uma nova teoria da alma humana,” which exemplifies the principles that I sustain as being indispensable for addressing the issue of the relationship between philosophy and literature, that is, the philosophical relevance of literature as much as the literary relevance of philosophy.
Resumo
Abstract
In this article I address a long-standing issue in Machadian studies, that of the relationship between philosophy and literature in the fiction of Machado de Assis. I start by acknowledging my indebtedness to the studies that Abel Barros Baptista has recently dedicated to the Brazilian author. In his article, “A Reforma Hermenêutica: Acerca da legibilidade de Dom Casmurro,” Baptista implies an anti-hermeneutical reading of Machado’s novels and short stories in order to advocate for a “hermeneutical reform.” With his contribution in mind, I proceed to question the theoretical and critical presuppositions of some of the most canonical readings that have been proposed to address the focus of this essay. I conclude by proposing a reading of the short story “O espelho: Esboço de uma nova teoria da alma humana,” which exemplifies the principles that I sustain as being indispensable for addressing the issue of the relationship between philosophy and literature, that is, the philosophical relevance of literature as much as the literary relevance of philosophy.
- © 2007 by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
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