Memória e cidade : uma leitura da obra O Chamado da Noite (1997), de Carlos Ribeiro

Abstract

Memory can retain information; some things are revived by consciousness, and others are forgotten or not revealed voluntarily or involuntarily. Thus, memory implies a modeling condition that supports the connection between the past and the present, highlighting marks and transformations of the self and contributing to the construction of the individual's image of themselves, others, and the things around them. The present work aimed to analyze the relationship between man and city, given new meaning by the memories and impressions of the narrator in O chamado da noite (1997) by Bahian writer Carlos Ribeiro. The plot refers to old spaces in the city of Salvador – BA, many of which are places of living and experiences of the narrated person. We based the research on the vision of the following theorists: regarding memory, we adopted the thinking of Halbwachs (2006) and Bosi (2003); regarding the study of urban space, the philosophy of Pesavento (2003); about urban landscapes, the vision of Zukin (2018) and Soja (1993). Based on the figure of the flâneur highlighted by Benjamin (1994), the work's narrator turns his vision to reference-marking spaces, also allowing a glimpse of the city's social problems. Faced with the fragmented reality of modern times, rooting is problematic, and references to being in the city are at risk of being dispersed. However, literature contributes to safeguarding the memory of the place. Thus, it is worth asking: how is the relationship between man and city in O Chamado da Noite? Which urban areas in the narrative can be considered spaces of memory? How is the memory of the place consolidated in the work? The narrator of O Chamado da Noite has an attachment to the city streets and other city elements, which makes him see them with the eyes of yesterday and give new meaning to them from his present moment; he seeks to value urban heritage through his impressions and sensations. We noted the rooting/belonging of the protagonist narrator to spaces for recognizing the memory and historical-cultural heritage of the city of Salvador - BA and their importance for collective memory.