“D. Benedita”: the velleity a possibility of the feminine condition

Abstract

This paper aims at studying Machado de Assis’ story “D. Benedita”. It addresses the constitution of a velleity sentiment through the actions of the character D. Benedita; which is followed by the narrator’s (re) construction and his or her relation with the reader. Both moments in this study attempt to keep present the feminine condition and the presence of irony and the “machadianos” humor, either through the constitution of feminine profiles, or by the narrator conducting the reader or by the way the social customs are instituted. The story reveals, through a central character, an unsatisfied and voluble woman. The counterpart of volubility, or the velleity of the protagonist, is taken by Eulália, D. Benedita’s daughter, who demonstrates herself as having trong purposes and, sometimes, even ardilous in her actions. The narrator establishes conditions for the irony and humor to strengthen each other throughout the narrative from these two feminine profiles.