Imagem-nação, nação imaginada: história, memória e identidade em Os Memoráveis, de Lídia Jorge

Abstract

This work analyzes the novel Os Memoraveis (2014) written by Portuguese writer Lidia Jorge, in the light of its connection with the 25th of April 1974 and the aftermath of the revolution. The idea behind revisiting this remarkable event in the history of the Portuguese nation is to discuss the interlocution between the historiographic discourse and the (meta)fictional discourse. The main goal is to rethink both the ways in which the Portuguese social-political scenario was, during the revolutionary period, permeated by a strong North American intervention and the consequences of such influence over Portugal, which linger on to this day. This reflection is enlightened by the analysis of elements with serve as a north in the search for the past, rethinking History through memory imprinted on mementos and testimonial subjects. In the face of the awakening to the margins of history, the journey of three young Portuguese journalists is reevaluated. The analysis considers how they are affected by the generational confrontations and the road they take, which forces them to read History in a counter-hegemonic way. Moreover, the examination of the fictionalized recovery of icons from the revolutionary period allows for a discussion around the processes which lead these exiled subjects to find in the memories of the past a place of belonging. It is by uprooting themselves from the present, in this fractured time, that they reach a sense of self. In addition, it is also noticeable that the character Ana Machado, upon returning to her country of origin, finds herself in a space and time of questioning which evokes the need to confront her father and, at the same time, to reassess the affective ties she has with her homeland. Taking into consideration these relations, this thesis investigates the emergence of a fragmented narration that is bound to the memory of its interlocutors in the reconstruction of events which have been relegated to the shadows of history.