A MORTE COMO HORIZONTE: COMPREENSÕES FENOMENOLÓGICAS EM “COMO EU ERA ANTES DE VOCÊ”

Abstract

The present work aims to analyze Jojo Moyes' work "Me Before You" in light of the philosophical ideas of Martin Heidegger, based on the perspective of clinical psychology with a phenomenological-existential orientation. Through a narrative literature review, we explore the dynamics of the protagonists, understanding how the awareness of finitude affected the way these characters experienced their lives, emphasizing the different modes of being-in-the-world intertwined with Heideggerian perspective of openness to the possibilities of being. When facing the demands of the world, individuals can reflect on their own experiences and choices, shedding light on the nature of existence and its constant becoming. Initially, we present the work written by Jojo Moyes, which tells the story of Louisa Clark and Will Traynor, where Louisa is portrayed as a young woman limited by her conservative environment, and Will is a tetraplegic man who has lost the ability to engage in activities that previously brought him pleasure. Next, we discuss Martin Heidegger's philosophical assumptions, arguing that human beings are beings inherently open to the possibility of being-able-to-be, but also to the possibility of not being-able-to-be. The condition of Dasein, according to Heidegger, is to be-toward-death, which implies caring for being-able-to-be amidst the certainty and unpredictability of finitude. Finally, we draw a connection between the plot of the book and Heideggerian philosophy, seeking to understand how the narrative of the characters relates to Heideggerian assumptions and reverberates in human existence. Ultimately, it is possible to conclude that the narrative of "Me Before You" resonates with the cry of anguish, inviting us to think about the interruption of plans and the meaning of existence. We also verify that phenomenological understandings do not propose to give pre-existing answers, but rather to open questions in order to reflect on our own horizon. This reflection resonates in the phenomenological-existential clinical scope, suggesting possibilities for dialogue and a deeper dive into the relationship between openness, the search for meaning in the face of life planning interruption, and the relationship of corporeality to existence.