Dream and disillusionment

positions of the narrator against alienation in Recordações do escrivão Isaías Caminha

Abstract

Between a life driven by dreams and disillusionment due to the failure of his achievements, Lima Barreto prose moves in Recordações do escrivão Isaías Caminha, whose effect is a double movement against alienation. In this way, we seek to understand how the discovery of oneself and the fruitless enlightenment of Isaías contribute to the disenchantment of the world. Initially, the inevitable clash between the social alienation of the narrator-character and a prejudiced and excluding society became evident, thus, the discovery of oneself is also the discovery of this Other. As a consequence, enlightenment, for a mulatto, does not guarantee him a place among the privileged, on the contrary, it illuminates social inconsistencies, increasing his pain and suffering. Finally, in a disenchanted world, he perceives that part of Brazilian society is shaped by vested interests, paternalistic and clientelist relationships.