Yet Another Post on All the Names

Vocabulary: Thank You Dictionary.com

Putrefying- (149) to cause to rot or decay with an offensive odor.

Macabre (155) -gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible.

Dilapidated- (156) reduced to or fallen into partial ruin or decay, as from age, wear, or neglect.


Figurative Language

quote: the voice that had adressed that speech to him was now saying things like this, don't be afraid, the darkness you're in is no greater than the darkness inside your body they are two darknesses seperated by skin. (149)

analysis: This is a little bit of personification due to the voice in Senhor Jose's head taking on the quality of a person. Also, it is implying a metaphor when it states in the quote that the darkness inside is no different than the one outside.


quote: He looked out, noticing ho , due to some unusual optical effect, the diffusion of the light in the atmosphere lit the facade of the buildings with a reddish tone, as if the sun were about to rise at that moment for each and every one of them.

analysis: This is an impressive bout of imagery by Saramago, and also a similie because of the as if.


quote: As everyone knows, our thoughts, both anxious and happy thoughts, and others which are neither one or the other, sooner or later grow weary and bored with themselves, it's just a question of letting time do it's work. It's just a matter of leaving them to the lazy day dreaming that comes no to them. (155)

analysis: I saw irony in this quote with the bit: 'lazy day dreaming'. I really liked how he made his anxiety mellow out by talking it through and comparing it to lazy day dreaming.


Chapter Quote

"It's a macabre exaggeration to call this the archive of the dead, if the papers you have in your hand are those of the unknown woman, they are just paper, not bones." (157)

Analysis: Then what is the woman, flesh and not blood? Body and not soul? I think that he has the ability to work himself down until important things are of no matter anymore. I liked this quote because of the implication that there is nothing to the papers except their appearance. He's obviously fooling himself, because when we're scared we don't look deeply, and he is looking deeply for this woman.


Theme: deception is prevelant in this bit of a chapter. The Registrar is decieving Senhor Jose by going back into the Registry when all is dark, and Senhor Jose is fooling the Registrar by also going into the Registry when it's closed. It's like they know they're playing the same game, but neither will call eachother on it.



Rant

I could get really into the theme and start sprouting Theses, but I think I'll stay away from that for all of our sakes, considering I still have to study for tests. I really liked the fact that we are finally seeing a soul in Senhor Jose, not that he's not a sweet guy, but what really drives him? Adventure. And at such an old age, one cannot seem to find adventure as frequently. It's odd though, the woman is dead. The papers were on the floor, and he saw them, held them, read them. So where does that leave our protagonist now? A dead mystery? Sounds like life to me. You can ask it questions, any questions, but it's lips are sealed, much like the lady he's been searching for who's now done with life. I hope Senhor Jose really thinks about this, and decides to do something important with his remaining time. I however, am completely confused as to what the author is getting at. I wish I had a better understanding, but apparently the APLit class is reading this, so I really have no complaints here other than crabbiness that I have so much to do besides kick back and read. But anyway, Senhor Jose is really a timeless, faceless guy who can represent us all- looking for purpose, finding a meaning, searching through a catacomb of the dead... you know, usual stuff. I guess finding ourselves amongst all the names is quite important, but right now, I'd really like to hit the shower. See you next week.