Dom Casmurro: A Masterpiece of Machado de Assis Explored through Hayley Shaver's Translation

Dom Casmurro is widely regarded as one of the greatest Brazilian novels of all time. Written by the renowned author Machado de Assis, the novel was first published in 1899 and has since become a classic of world literature. The novel tells the story of Bento Santiago, an elderly priest who reminisces about his life and love for Capitu, a woman he believes betrayed him.

Dom Casmurro

by Hayley Shaver

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	German
File size	:	927 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	4 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	132 pages
Item Weight	:	6.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.85 x 0.33 x 8.27 inches

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In recent years, Dom Casmurro has gained renewed attention thanks to the acclaimed translation by Hayley Shaver. Shaver's translation, published in 2018, has been praised for its accuracy, elegance, and accessibility. This article will delve into the intricacies of Dom Casmurro, exploring its themes, characters, and narrative structure. We will also analyze Shaver's translation, highlighting its strengths and contributions to the literary landscape.

Themes of Dom Casmurro

Dom Casmurro is a complex and multilayered novel that explores a wide range of themes. Central to the novel is the theme of love. Bento's love for Capitu is all-consuming and passionate, yet it is also marked by jealousy and suspicion. The novel also explores the theme of betrayal, as Bento believes that Capitu has betrayed him with his best friend, Escobar.

Another important theme in Dom Casmurro is that of memory. The novel is told entirely from Bento's perspective, and his memories of the past are unreliable and fragmented. This unreliability raises questions about the nature of truth and the possibility of knowing the past objectively.

Characters in Dom Casmurro

Bento Santiago is the narrator and central character of Dom Casmurro. Bento is a complex and contradictory figure. He is intelligent and charming, but he is also jealous, possessive, and self-pitying. His unreliable narration makes it difficult for the reader to determine whether he is a victim or a perpetrator of the events he describes.

Capitu is the object of Bento's love and obsession. She is a beautiful and enigmatic woman, and her true nature remains elusive. Bento's suspicions about her infidelity are never fully confirmed, and the reader is left to question whether she is truly guilty or whether Bento's jealousy has led him to misinterpret her actions.

Escobar is Bento's best friend and confidant. He is a wealthy and respected man, and Bento initially trusts him implicitly. However, as Bento's jealousy grows, he begins to suspect that Escobar is having an affair with Capitu. The truth of Escobar's relationship with Capitu is never fully revealed, and his role in the novel remains ambiguous.

Narrative Structure of Dom Casmurro

Dom Casmurro is narrated entirely from Bento's perspective, which gives the novel a unique and intimate feel. The reader is privy to Bento's thoughts and emotions, and we experience the events of the novel through his eyes. However, Bento's unreliability as a narrator problematizes the narrative and raises questions about the truth of his account.

The novel is divided into two parts. The first part tells the story of Bento's childhood and his relationship with Capitu. The second part follows Bento as he becomes a priest and struggles to come to terms with his past. The novel's structure reflects the dual nature of Bento's character and his conflicting emotions.

Hayley Shaver's Translation of Dom Casmurro

Hayley Shaver's translation of Dom Casmurro has been widely praised for its accuracy, elegance, and accessibility. Shaver has a deep understanding of the Portuguese language and culture, and her translation captures the nuances and subtleties of Machado de Assis's writing.

One of the strengths of Shaver's translation is her ability to convey the complexity of Bento's character. She captures Bento's intelligence, charm, and vulnerability, as well as his jealousy, possessiveness, and self-pity. Shaver's translation also does justice to the ambiguity of the novel's ending, leaving the reader to question the truth of Bento's account.

In addition to its accuracy, Shaver's translation is also highly readable and engaging. She uses clear and concise prose, and she avoids using overly scholarly or technical language. This makes the novel accessible to a wide range of readers, including those who may not be familiar with Brazilian literature.

Dom Casmurro is a masterpiece of Brazilian literature that explores complex themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal. The novel's unreliable narrator and ambiguous ending have captivated readers for over a century. Hayley Shaver's translation of Dom Casmurro is a major achievement that makes this classic novel accessible to a new generation of readers. Shaver's translation is accurate, elegant, and engaging, and it captures the essence of Machado de Assis's writing.

Dom Casmurro is a challenging and rewarding novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. It is a novel that will make you question your assumptions about love, jealousy, and the nature of truth. If you are looking for a great work of literature to read, I highly recommend Dom Casmurro.

Dom Casmurro

by Hayley Shaver

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	German
File size	:	927 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	4 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	132 pages
Item Weight	:	6.4 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.85 x 0.33 x 8.27 inches

FREE