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Abstract(s)
Ao longo dos tempos, a velhice e os velhos suscitaram uma dupla tendência na forma como são perspetivados, ora vistos como momento de sabedoria e de experiência e sinónimo de venerabilidade, ora como fase de decrepitude e encargos familiares e sociais onerosos e incó-modos. Esta ambivalência refletiu-se, genericamente, nas diversas áreas das diferentes civiliza-ções, da ação e discurso políticos, à reflexão filosófica, passando pela arte. Na sociedade pós-moderna e contemporânea, esta ambivalência tornou-se mais teórica do que prática, pois a crise de valores e a idolatria do novo atiraram o velho para um lugar marginal. Porque não contribui ativamente para a sustentabilidade das economias e porque é a prova concreta da corruptibilida-de e finitude do Homem, o velho é lançado para instituições, submetido à aparentemente inevi-tável categorização, anulando-se as especificidades, negando-se a sua autonomia, apagando-se a sua dignidade.
Como se posiciona a literatura, especificamente a portuguesa, perante esta realidade? Que figurações nos dá da velhice na sociedade contemporânea? Os romances Em Nome da Ter-ra e a máquina de fazer espanhóis, com as especificidades inerentes ao perfil de autores de ida-des, enquadramentos e vivências diferentes, constituem bons exemplos dessa representação. Depositados pelos filhos num lar de terceira idade, os seus protagonistas têm de enfrentar a per-da: das companheiras de uma vida, da sua autonomia, da sua integridade. Lutando contra momentos de profunda solidão, estes velhos têm de (re)aprender a viver, descobrindo, num tempo que convencionalmente se acha estéril e desprovido de qualquer criação, um propósito para estar no mundo (que parece já tê-los excluído), o sentido para a vida, contrariando os efei-tos nefastos do tempo, fixando-se na plenitude dos instantes, provando, assim, a validade do ser humano até ao último minuto.
Throughout the times, both old age and old people have spawned a self-contradictory tendency, according to the perspective they have been dealt with. They are seen either as mo-ment of wisdom and experience as well as synonym of venerable nature, or as a stage of de-crepitude and burdensome uncomfortable familiar and social charges. This ambivalence has had overall far-reaching effect on the various areas of different civilisations, ranging from political speech and action, to philosophical thinking, not disregarding the very art. In the post-modern and contemporary society, this double meaning has become more theoretical than practical, since the values crisis and the idolatry of the new as well have thrown the old people to the edge of society. As they don’t make for the sustaining of economies and are the concrete proof of man’s corruptibility and transience, the old friends are thrown to institutions submitted to the seemingly inevitable categorization, being the specificities undone, their autonomy denied and fading their dignity away. What stand does literature, particularly the portuguese one, take on this reality? How does it mirror old age in the contemporary society? The novels Em Nome da Terra and a máquina de fazer espanhóis, with the specificities which are intrinsic to the profile of authors with different ages, contexts and life experiences, fulfil good examples of that representation. After being laid by their children in an old people’s home, its protagonists have to face a varied loss: of their lifetime companionship, of their autonomy and integrity. Fighting against moments of deep loneliness, these old people need learn again to live, finding out, in a time that is con-ventionally thought to be sterile and devoid of any creation, an aim to belong to the world (that seems to have excluded them), the meaning for life, postponing the evil effects of time, drawing their attention to the plenitude of the instants, thus proving the human being’s validity until the last minute.
Throughout the times, both old age and old people have spawned a self-contradictory tendency, according to the perspective they have been dealt with. They are seen either as mo-ment of wisdom and experience as well as synonym of venerable nature, or as a stage of de-crepitude and burdensome uncomfortable familiar and social charges. This ambivalence has had overall far-reaching effect on the various areas of different civilisations, ranging from political speech and action, to philosophical thinking, not disregarding the very art. In the post-modern and contemporary society, this double meaning has become more theoretical than practical, since the values crisis and the idolatry of the new as well have thrown the old people to the edge of society. As they don’t make for the sustaining of economies and are the concrete proof of man’s corruptibility and transience, the old friends are thrown to institutions submitted to the seemingly inevitable categorization, being the specificities undone, their autonomy denied and fading their dignity away. What stand does literature, particularly the portuguese one, take on this reality? How does it mirror old age in the contemporary society? The novels Em Nome da Terra and a máquina de fazer espanhóis, with the specificities which are intrinsic to the profile of authors with different ages, contexts and life experiences, fulfil good examples of that representation. After being laid by their children in an old people’s home, its protagonists have to face a varied loss: of their lifetime companionship, of their autonomy and integrity. Fighting against moments of deep loneliness, these old people need learn again to live, finding out, in a time that is con-ventionally thought to be sterile and devoid of any creation, an aim to belong to the world (that seems to have excluded them), the meaning for life, postponing the evil effects of time, drawing their attention to the plenitude of the instants, thus proving the human being’s validity until the last minute.
Description
Keywords
Finitude Memória Morte Solidão Tempo Velhice Valter Hugo Mãe Vergílio Ferreira Transience Memory Death Loneliness Time Old age