LINHA RETA E LINHA CURVA | Machado de Assis | CONTO

Summary

In this video, Professor Iza introduces Machado de Assis' short story 'Linha Reta e Linha Curva'. The plot centers around a young, newly married couple in Petrópolis—Azevedo, a 26-year-old lawyer, and his beautiful wife, Adelaide. Their peaceful life is disrupted by the arrival of Tito, a man who despises love due to past heartbreak. What follows is a complex love game, with Emília, an old friend, attempting to prove that love can be rekindled. As relationships unfold, the story explores themes of love, regret, and personal transformation, concluding with a mutual love blossoming after emotional twists and turns. A reflection on life’s unpredictable nature, where straight paths often lead to unexpected curves.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is Professor Iza, the creator of a channel and Instagram account, where she shares daily readings.
• 😀 The video discusses Machado de Assis's short story 'Linha Reta e Linha Curva' (Straight Line and Curved Line).
• 😀 The story begins by introducing Azevedo, a 26-year-old law graduate who is newly married and very happy with his life in Petrópolis.
• 😀 Azevedo's wife, Adelaide, is a beautiful woman with whom he is deeply in love. They moved to Petrópolis after a month of relationship and married quickly.
• 😀 Three months into their marriage, Azevedo and Adelaide are still very happy, and their house is visited by several other characters.
• 😀 One of the visitors is Tito, a 29-year-old man who dislikes marriages and romantic relationships due to a painful past. He avoids falling in love.
• 😀 Another key character is Emília, a widow and friend of Adelaide, who also visits the couple. Emília shares a story about her own past relationship and abandonment.
• 😀 Emília, in a bid to prove that love is possible, begins to play a game of seduction with Tito, trying to make him fall in love.
• 😀 The story includes a love triangle where Diogo, a friend of the couple, becomes jealous of Tito and Emília's growing closeness, as he is secretly in love with Emília.
• 😀 In the end, Emília falls in love with Tito, despite her intentions to reject him after proving love could happen. Tito, realizing his feelings, asks for Adelaide's hand in marriage.
• 😀 The story explores the idea of 'straight line' vs. 'curved line' as a metaphor for love. It highlights how Tito used indirect methods (the curved line) to ultimately win Emília's love, which contrasts with the direct approach (the straight line).

Q & A

Who are the main characters in the story 'Linha reta e linha curva' by Machado de Assis?

The main characters in the story are Azevedo, a 26-year-old bachelor in law; his beautiful wife, Adelaide; Tito, a 29-year-old man who despises love and marriage; and Emília, a widow and friend of Adelaide.

What is Tito's attitude towards love and relationships?

Tito despises love and relationships, explaining that his negative attitude stems from a past romantic disappointment.

What does Emília plan to do in the story to prove to Tito that it is possible to love again?

Emília plans to use a game of seduction to prove to Tito that it is possible to love. She tries to make him fall in love with her and then plans to discard him to show him that love is real.

How does Tito react to Emília's attempts to seduce him?

Tito initially resists Emília's attempts, continuing to despise love and rejecting her. However, over time, his feelings change.

What happens as the story progresses and Emília and Tito's feelings evolve?

As the story progresses, Emília falls genuinely in love with Tito, and the more she tries to disregard him, the deeper her feelings grow. Eventually, Tito also admits that he is in love with her.

What is the significance of the title 'Linha reta e linha curva'?

The title 'Linha reta e linha curva' represents the contrast between straightforward and indirect paths in love. Azevedo, who initially took a direct approach (linha reta), later realizes that taking a more complex and curved path (linha curva) leads to true love.

What realization does Tito come to in the end regarding his past and his feelings for Emília?

Tito realizes that Emília is the woman from his past, the one who had caused him emotional pain. However, he forgives her, and they both confess their love for each other.

How does Diogo fit into the storyline, and what role does he play in the love triangle?

Diogo is a friend of Emília and the couple. He is secretly in love with Emília and becomes jealous when he notices her growing closeness to Tito. He is an important part of the love triangle, contributing to the tension in the story.

What is the turning point in the story that leads to a happy ending for Tito and Emília?

The turning point occurs when Emília confesses her feelings for Tito to Adelaide, and Tito overhears part of the conversation. He realizes that Emília truly loves him, and he reciprocates her feelings, leading to their eventual marriage.

What lesson or message does the story 'Linha reta e linha curva' convey about love?

The story conveys that love is not always straightforward (linha reta). Sometimes, indirect paths, twists, and even misunderstandings are necessary for individuals to find true love and resolve past wounds.