Diadorim, the Beginner Boy of Riobaldo: a Dialogue with Great-Master Bené

Abstract

The present work aims to present a brief result of the foundation and application of the category, of an ontophenomenologic nature, entitled “apprehension-of-affections”, which had its origin from the reading of The Devil to pay in the backlands, by Rosa (2015). To do so, we will focus our attention on a specific moment in the novel, which refers to Riobaldo’s first crossing, with Menino-Diadorim as the starting point on his journey. The category in question had its theoretical foundation, mainly, based on Sartre's ontological studies (2002), however, in this particular work, we will have the essays by Benedito Nunes (1992, 2013a) as a guide, since the philosopher represents the main link between philosophical theory and literary interpretation. The apprehension-of-affections is revealed from the linguistic traces that Riobaldo leaves when narrating the affections apprehended as a boy, recorded from the events of the beginning of his crossing when demonstrating his impressions, perceptions, reflections suffered/accomplished and his behavioral mode towards Diadorim-boy. We will engage in dialogue with Benedito Nunes on three perspectives: Riobaldo's search for the first Unit; a north for the reasoning of the category; the application of the category to the novel based on the interpretation of Benedito Nunes (2013a).