As neblinas de Diadorim

Abstract

One aspect of Grande sertão: veredas that has been seldom observed by criticism concerns the use of strategies which create the suspense effect in the narrative. Riobaldo, the protagonist-narrator of the book, constantly makes decontextualized and/or vague statements, suggesting, or even affirming, they refer to key events in his life. In the manner of suspense narratives, therefore, Riobaldo proposes mysteries and postpones their solutions. This is what happens in relation to Diadorim. Along practically the whole narrative, the former “jagunço” underscores unusual behaviors of his companion of “jagunçagem” and insinuates, or even expounds, that he hid unsuspected secrets, about which he only got to know too late. And Riobaldo promises that these secrets will be revealed in due time. This suspense created around the character of Diadorim will find some kind of revelation at the end of the book, but it will be a relative one. The explanation offered does not satisfy the wish for full understanding, it does not solve the question; on the contrary, it fosters new questions and mysteries. This paper discusses some aspects of this strategy and its possible functions in the narrative.