Representação da senilidade em Memorial de Aires, de Machado de Assis

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the representation of senility in Memorial de Aires (1908), by Machado de Assis, focusing on how the author portrays old age and its emotional, social, and symbolic complexities. Structured as a diary written by the protagonist, Conselheiro Aires, the narrative presents a mature and introspective perspective on the aging process, revealing the tensions, vulnerabilities, and affective dimensions that shape human experience in later life. Through recollections, daily observations, and personal reflections, Aires constructs an understanding of old age that transcends biological decline, emphasizing its subjective, cultural, and historical layers.The analysis highlights that, alongside Aires, characters such as Dona Carmo and Conselheiro Aguiar exemplify an affectionate and welcoming old age marked by the absence of biological children. This absence, however, is reinterpreted through the deep emotional bonds they develop with their godchildren, whom they adopt as “children of the heart.” These dynamics reveal how aging involves affective rearrangements and emphasize the role of emotional continuity in redefining family structures. Furthermore, the diary entries referencing the abolition of slavery and the political atmosphere of late nineteenth-century Brazil demonstrate that aging unfolds in a socio-historical context that profoundly shapes individual perceptions and experiences.The study also indicates that Machado de Assis intertwines aging with existential themes such as finitude, memory, the passage of time, and human fragility. Senescence, as discussed by theorists such as Beauvoir (1970) and Bosi (2003), encompasses not only physical transformations but also psychological, social, and cultural dimensions that influence how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by society. In this sense, Aires frequently expresses fatigue, melancholy, and a subtle sense of uselessness, yet he also displays lucidity, sensitivity, and keen observational skills. This ambivalence reinforces the idea that old age is neither solely decline nor exclusively wisdom, but a dynamic interplay between loss and renewed meaning. Methodologically, the research is based on a bibliographical approach, drawing on theoretical contributions from Assis, Beauvoir, Bosi, Candido, Debert, Elias, Schwarz, among others, to support the interpretative analysis. This theoretical framework enables an understanding of how Memorial de Aires reflects historical perceptions of aging while simultaneously resonating with contemporary discussions, especially in light of Brazil’s rapid demographic transition and the growing visibility of older adults in society.The findings indicate that senility in Machado de Assis’s narrative is represented as a multifaceted experience, marked by melancholy, tenderness, introspection, and affective depth. The portrayal remains relevant today, offering insights into how old age can be understood beyond stereotypes. By examining aging within the novel, this study contributes to broader reflections on old age in Brazilian society, reinforcing the significance of recognizing elderly individuals as subjects of memory, history, and emotional richness