O caso da vara (Conto), de Machado de Assis

Summary

In 'The Case of the Stick,' a young seminarian, Damião, flees from his seminary, feeling unfit for religious life. Seeking refuge with his godfather João Carneiro, he is caught in a struggle between family expectations and his own desires. Rita, a strong-willed woman, takes charge, advocating for Damião's freedom from the seminary, despite resistance from his godfather. As Damião wrestles with his fate, his connection with a young black girl, Lucrécia, intensifies, leading to a critical moment where compassion and authority collide. The story explores themes of duty, rebellion, and personal struggle within societal confines.

Takeaways

• 😀 Damião, a seminarian, flees from the seminary on a Friday morning, unsure of what to do next.
• 😀 Damião feels trapped in the seminary and is uncertain about his vocation, convinced that he isn't fit to be a priest.
• 😀 Damião seeks help from his godfather João Carneiro, but feels rejected, unsure of where to turn.
• 😀 Rita, a woman in Damião's life, becomes his confidante and tries to help him navigate his crisis, offering both emotional and practical support.
• 😀 Damião finds himself at Rita's house, where he explains his struggles and asks for help in escaping the seminary.
• 😀 Rita advises Damião to approach his godfather João Carneiro directly, despite his fears that he will not be supported.
• 😀 A conflict arises between João Carneiro and Rita, with João hesitating to take Damião's side, fearing the consequences of defying traditional expectations.
• 😀 Rita, through her strong personality and determination, eventually convinces João Carneiro to support Damião's departure from the seminary.
• 😀 Damião's inner turmoil intensifies as he feels torn between his own desires and the pressure from his family and godfather.
• 😀 Rita's influence and support ultimately help Damião feel more hopeful, though he remains uncertain about his future.
• 😀 The narrative highlights themes of personal conflict, the struggle for independence, and the tension between tradition and personal desires.

Q & A

What event triggers Damião's journey in the script?

Damião flees the seminary at 11 a.m. on a Friday in August, driven by his discomfort with the ecclesiastical life, marking the start of his journey.

How does Damião feel about returning to the seminary?

Damião is terrified of returning to the seminary, as he believes he has no vocation for priesthood and feels repulsed by the idea.

Who is Rita and what role does she play in Damião's story?

Rita is a 40-year-old woman who helps Damião, offering him guidance and attempting to convince him to pursue a different path than the seminary. She is a friend of Damião's godfather and plays a crucial role in his decision-making.

What is Damião's primary concern when he seeks Rita's help?

Damião is primarily concerned with avoiding the punishment that awaits him at the seminary and the potential 'death' he believes will come from returning there.

How does Rita react to Damião's pleas to avoid returning to the seminary?

Rita is sympathetic but initially skeptical, telling Damião that she cannot get involved in his family’s matters. Eventually, she takes action to help him, pushing his godfather to intervene.

What is João Carneiro's initial reaction upon learning about Damião's situation?

João Carneiro is shocked and angry upon hearing about Damião’s escape from the seminary. He initially reprimands Damião but later becomes more open to discussing alternatives to sending him back.

What does Rita suggest as an alternative to returning Damião to the seminary?

Rita suggests that Damião could have a different career, such as a lawyer or doctor, instead of continuing with the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment.

What is the significance of the stick mentioned in the script?

The stick is used symbolically by Rita when she threatens a young girl named Lucrécia with it as a form of discipline, reflecting Rita's tough but caring nature.

How does Damião feel about Lucrécia and why?

Damião feels a sense of pity for Lucrécia, a young black girl who is subjected to harsh discipline. He is moved by her plight and internally vows to help her.

What is the ultimate outcome of Damião's situation in the script?

After much back and forth, Damião’s fate is undecided by the end of the script. He remains conflicted, but Rita manages to convince his godfather to let him choose a different path, avoiding a return to the seminary.