Entre pincéis, penas e partituras: a arte dentro da arte em O primo Basílio, de Eça de Queirós

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to conduct an analysis of the elements of the urban cultural atmosphere in the fictional work of Eça de Queirós, particularly concerning the 1870s. For this purpose, one of Queirós' par excellence urban novels will be used: O primo Basílio (1878). The central point of the study is to show that such components are not merely illustrative but function as an essential part of the meaning-making process in Eça’s narratives. Thus, the cultural manifestations represented by literature, music, newspapers, works of art or theater will always carry a significant importance for the work as a whole. We examine the characters’ position in relation to these items and highlight their relationship with the plot. The urban cultural elements broaden the perspective of the described scene, there is a greater understanding of the social environment and the characters’ psychic life. Such components, therefore, are not just a backdrop: they are crucial for a more accurate understanding of O primo Basílio by Eça de Queirós