Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast In a field I looked into going past, And the ground almost covered smooth in snow, But a few weeds and stubble showing last.
The woods around it have it–it is theirs. All animals are smothered in their lairs. I am too absent-spirited to count; The loneliness includes me unawares.
And lonely as it is that loneliness Will be more lonely ere it will be less– A blanker whiteness of benighted snow With no expression, nothing to express.
They cannot scare me with their empty spaces Between stars–on stars where no human race is. I have it in me so much nearer home To scare myself with my own desert places.

Did Capitu cheat on Bentinho?

Where I come from this is a very important question. To those who are unfamiliar with these names, here is a small explanation: in 1899, one – if not the- of the most celebrated and worshiped Brazilian writers, Machado de Assis, published a book called Dom Casmurro. It is a very interesting book, telling the story of Bento (Bentinho), or, as his friends called him due to his somber mood, Dom Casmurro. Bentinho falls in love with his neighbor, Capitu. To make a long story short: when he’s older, Bentinho tries to revaluate his life and tries to decide if Capity really cheated on him with his best friend, Escobar. The book is narrated by Bento, so there is not a reliable point of view. All the story may or may not be true.

Since the book was published, almost everyone has tried to prove Capitu’s innocent, or lack of it. Lots of thesis have been written about it. Capitu is one of the most portrayed characters in movies, series, TV programs, etc. Her name is always remembered in a case of adultery, even though she was never proven guilty.

Today, in class, it was my mission to try and prove her innocence. I don’t know if I succeded, but it was certainly a very nice chance and, without doubt, a true challenge. Right now, I’m writing an article about it. I’ll post it here once it is completed.

I just wanted here, tonight, to pass on a little bit of this Brazilian love of mine: Machado de Assis. His books can be foun anywhere. His most famous book, Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas, has been translated into several foreing languages. He knew how to depict society, how to criticize with humor, and how to make his readers think.

I honestly recommend him. Of course many things were lost during the translation. Some jokes, some language puzzles, but it is amazing nonetheless.

Read it, so you can all later tell me if Capitu did or did not cheat on Bentinho.

TCyredanea