It is a real shame that the average student can only learn a handful of languages in depth, some of which, in truth, he may never learn sufficiently. And then one depends on translations which, as a rule, hide qualities of the original. The most unfortunate thing is that one cannot grasp the beautiful particularities of distant languages, which would completely alter one’s understanding of their works. Sometimes, quite happily, a translation provides glimpses of such particularities; and, having grasped them, we are left with the sad feeling that, in this life, it will not be possible to get to know them better…
Category: Notes
In Brazil, Worse Than Noticing the Disappearance…
In Brazil, worse than noticing the disappearance of great authors due to blatant editorial collusion, is noticing the disappearance of those who, without any editorial opposition, disappear from the shelves exclusively due to the pettiness of their heirs. This is unbelievable, especially in a country whose greats are few, and given that the heirs will certainly lose out by clinging to such pettiness. It is infuriating to note that, when the author dies, his work is reduced to something like a pecuniary product, whose function is to generate some money for the “heirs”, when, in fact, the money is minimal, and the true heirs are deprived by law of the real legacy. It’s a tear-jerker!
One of the Worst Mistakes a Writer Can Make…
One of the worst mistakes a writer can make is to produce in order to fit in with a group. The result, almost always, is the sacrifice of what is most valuable to express. So talented, promising minds, pulsing with authentic artistic motivation, give it all up for something that, if summed up correctly, is nothing more than the old desire for acceptance. The biggest problem is that, for the prize of being accepted, the mind sees fit to pay the price of pleasing; however, in art, when you try to please, you do not please, and you certainly corrupt.
It Is Amazing How Some Critics Are Unable…
It is amazing how some critics are unable to differentiate between an idea and its expression, which leads them to a regrettable literal interpretation. And they see it in supposed art connoisseurs… Thus, they associate the author with the appearance that the work reveals. In truth, the method often works, but it fails miserably when the artistic motive is manifested in the conclusions of what has been represented. For the critic, it should not be difficult to see the moralist in Nelson Rodrigues, the Christian in Dostoevsky, the sobriety in the explorer of madness, the quality that, aware of itself, represents its opposition. All of this is too simple, but there seem to be literary professionals who have not had the opportunity to learn it.