O modelo napoleônico de ação em narrativas machadianas

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze Machado de Assis‘s novel ―Quincas Borba through the theory from Jacques Rancière about ―strategic – or Napoleonic – action model‖. We presented the analysis of the novel by relating it to a short tale from the same author entitled ―O Espelho‖ (The mirror), by establishing a relationship between the characters (specially Rubião, main character of the novel) and Napoleonic personas – Napoleon I/Napoleon III. We tried to demonstrate the character in contraposition to heroic accomplishments of the French emperor such as the critic and parodic inversion of the Napoleonic model, negatively based on Napoleon‘s saga, but also on reflections from Machado de Assis about the gaps and contradictions on Brazilian bourgeoisie society from the second half of 19th century, which tried to inspire themselves on ideas and ideologies originated, mostly, on France, as discussed by Roberto Schwarz.