The patemic configuration in the short story “A escola da noite” by Rubens Figueiredo

Abstract

The general objective of this article is to analyze the configuration of fear in the short story “A escola da noite” by Rubens Figueiredo. The analysis is done from the French Semiotics theoretical standpoint. To do so, it brings forth the concept of passion. A reflection on some theoretical and methodological aspects such as modal arrangements, micro and macro passional syntaxes, mentioned and represented passions, simple and complex passions is also made during the analysis of the short story. The plot revolves around fear. More specifically, the objective of this article is to show how the short story creates the meaning of fear. For instance, the analysis shows how the syntactic configuration of fear is directly connected with other passions such as frustration, suspicion, and anger. The fear felt by Andréia, the main character, is always dissimulated, and that of the other characters is kept as a secret. Therefore, fear is structured from the being axis versus seeming axis. The main character experiences a psychological conflict, since she feels the fear but does not want to feel it, and blames herself for it. She is hesitant and such hesitation is the result of a syncretism of roles. The main character is sometimes the performer and sometimes the judging subject. From this conflicting situation, a new, stronger, more decisive and independent character arises in the short story