Statuary of desire: erotic writing and imitation game in Lucíola

Abstract

Lucíola, published in 1862, deals with the brief involvement of a young provincial man with a beautiful courtesan. The desire, even when denied, takes a central role in the plot, moving characters and narrative towards the premature death of the protagonist. This outcome is due to complications of abortion, a consequence of sex, somehow engaging an allegory between Eros and Thanatos. The narrator admits the immorality of his text, but says he will not hide himself on the hypocrisy of ellipsis. It’s impossible to recognize in the book some concern towards the way you show lust through words.  The analysis of three erotic scenes and its relations with other passages of the novel aims to contribute to the understanding of this process of representation.