O ALIENISTA (RESUMO COMPLETO)-LEITURAS OBRIGATÓRIAS-UFRGS

Summary

In this video, the narrator provides a detailed overview of Machado de Assis' short story 'O Alienista' from his collection 'Papéis Avulsos.' The story follows Dr. Simão Bacamarte, a respected physician who establishes a mental health institution in the small town of Itaguaí. As he becomes obsessed with studying madness, Bacamarte's actions lead to numerous town residents being declared insane, causing social unrest. The story critiques the arbitrary nature of authority, the concept of sanity, and the boundaries between reason and madness. The video also discusses the potential implications for this story in upcoming exams.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story of 'O Alienista' takes place in Itaguaí, Brazil, around the 1800s, before the country gained independence.
• 😀 The protagonist, Dr. Simão Bacamarte, is a highly esteemed doctor in Brazil, Portugal, and Spain, and he returns to his hometown to focus on studying mental health.
• 😀 Bacamarte marries Dona Evarista, a woman he believes will provide him with healthy children, though their relationship remains distant and unloving.
• 😀 Bacamarte becomes fascinated with mental illnesses and establishes 'Casa Verde' to study and treat 'mad' people, with funds from a local tax.
• 😀 He divides patients into two categories: 'mild' and 'furious,' and he experiments with treatments and medications, neglecting his wife in the process.
• 😀 Bacamarte’s wife, Dona Evarista, experiences emotional neglect and eventually dies, though Bacamarte remains consumed by his work and indifferent to her death.
• 😀 Bacamarte theorizes that madness is not just a simple defect but a complex condition that can be studied through balance and imbalance of mental faculties.
• 😀 A revolt begins in the town when people question the legitimacy of Bacamarte’s practices, culminating in the 'Revolta dos Canjicas' (Revolt of the Canjicas).
• 😀 After a period of turmoil, Bacamarte is forced to release his patients but continues to believe that the majority of the population is 'insane' due to a lack of balance in their mental faculties.
• 😀 In the end, Bacamarte reflects on his own mental state, concluding that he himself might be the only truly sane person in Itaguaí, leading to his eventual isolation and death without achieving his goals.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the story in 'O Alienista' by Machado de Assis?

The main theme of the story revolves around the concept of madness and the blurred line between sanity and insanity. It critiques societal norms, exploring how those who are labeled as insane may be influenced by arbitrary and subjective standards of 'reason.'

Who is the protagonist of 'O Alienista' and what is his profession?

The protagonist is Dr. Simão Bacamarte, a highly regarded physician who specializes in studying mental health. He is considered the best doctor in Brazil, Portugal, and Spain.

What motivates Dr. Bacamarte to return to his hometown of Itaguaí?

Dr. Bacamarte returns to his hometown of Itaguaí after 34 years in Europe, with the intention of studying and advancing scientific knowledge, particularly in the field of mental health.

What is the significance of the Casa Verde in the story?

The Casa Verde is a facility founded by Dr. Bacamarte where he studies and treats individuals deemed insane. It becomes a central symbol in the story, representing the power of authority in deciding who is considered sane or insane.

How does Dr. Bacamarte treat the population of Itaguaí, and what is the result?

Dr. Bacamarte begins admitting people into the Casa Verde, categorizing them into two groups: 'mild' and 'furious.' Over time, he expands his definition of madness, resulting in a large portion of the population being labeled as insane, leading to societal unrest and rebellion.

What is the role of Dr. Bacamarte’s wife, Dona Evarista, in the story?

Dona Evarista is Dr. Bacamarte’s wife, whom he married primarily for her health, not for her beauty or personality. Throughout the story, she becomes increasingly neglected as Dr. Bacamarte becomes more obsessed with his research. She represents a personal connection that is ultimately disregarded in his pursuit of science.

What is the significance of the phrase from the Quran displayed at the Casa Verde?

The phrase from the Quran, which Dr. Bacamarte places at the Casa Verde, serves to symbolize his belief that he is performing a noble task in caring for the insane. The phrase also reveals the complex intersection of religion, science, and madness in the story.

How does the public react to the increasing number of people admitted to the Casa Verde?

As more people are admitted to the Casa Verde, the public becomes increasingly suspicious and fearful. Many begin to question Dr. Bacamarte’s authority and the legitimacy of his actions, leading to the formation of a revolt against him.

What is the outcome of the rebellion against Dr. Bacamarte’s authority?

The rebellion against Dr. Bacamarte’s authority escalates, with the rebels initially succeeding in gaining support and attacking the Casa Verde. However, the revolt is eventually quelled, and Dr. Bacamarte’s scientific authority is reaffirmed, leading to further repression and the continuation of his methods.

What is the ultimate fate of Dr. Bacamarte by the end of the story?

By the end of the story, Dr. Bacamarte isolates himself in the Casa Verde, continuing his obsessive research. He eventually concludes that he is the only truly sane person in the village, but his pursuit of scientific perfection leads to his death 17 months later, without having achieved any significant breakthroughs.