top of page

Comments by Professor Francisco DCB Brandão on Professor Rosa Beloto’s article: "Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni"

Updated: Sep 28, 2024



The article "Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni" (Pandemic and Literature: the example of the novel The Betrothed, by Alessandro Manzoni), written by Rosa Maria Mijas Beloto in São Paulo, Brazil, examines the novel Os Noivos as a masterpiece of Italian Romanticism that addresses the theme of the Black Death pandemic. The author highlights the relevance of the novel, despite being written in the 18th century and portraying Italy four hundred years earlier.


The text begins with reflections on the Enlightenment and the significance of the Encyclopedia in the intellectual evolution of humanity. It explores how the Enlightenment movement introduced a new approach based on reason and rationalism, replacing religious and spiritual explanations. The author underscores the Encyclopedia as a hallmark of this period, a work that systematized accumulated knowledge and promoted critical thinking against authoritarianism.

The article then addresses the primacy of science from the 19th century onwards, highlighting how materialism revolutionized human knowledge. Advances in natural sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and genetics, are mentioned. The author refers to important figures such as Charles Darwin, Louis Pasteur, and Claude Bernard, emphasizing their contributions to scientific and medical advancements. Relevant studies in psychology and philosophy, such as behaviorism and positivism, are also cited.


Regarding the novel Os Noivos by Alessandro Manzoni, the author emphasizes its importance in dealing with the theme of the Black Death pandemic. The article points out how the work, written in the 18th century, remains relevant in portraying the challenges and emotions experienced during health crises. By discussing the historical context in which the novel was written, the article reinforces the importance of literature as a means of reflecting on the human condition across different eras.


The article presents a well-founded critical analysis, demonstrating a deep understanding of both the historical context and the theme addressed in the novel. The author establishes relevant connections between the Enlightenment, scientific evolution, and literature, showing how art can reflect and engage with social and historical issues. The writing is clear and well-structured, facilitating the reader’s comprehension.


In summary, the article "Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni" offers a positive and enriching critical analysis of the relevance of The Betrothed in the context of the Black Death pandemic. The author presents a consistent argument, highlighting the novel's relevance and its dialogue with historical and social issues. The contextual analysis and the connections established with the Enlightenment and the evolution of science demonstrate solid knowledge and a deep reflection on the intersection between literature, history, and science. The article provides a comprehensive view of the contributions of Alessandro Manzoni's novel to the understanding of pandemics and its continued relevance in contemporary society. The author skillfully shows how literature can transcend time and invite reflection on universal issues, such as the human condition in the face of health crises. Rosa Maria Mijas Beloto’s work enriches literary studies by offering a critical analysis that underscores the importance of literary works in addressing themes relevant to society. Her well-grounded knowledge and ability to draw connections across different fields of knowledge make the article a significant contribution to the academic field.


Review

Beloto RM. Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni. Revista Científica [Internet]. 2023 [cited May 26, 2023];X(X)

. Available from: [URL]


The article Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni (Pandemic and Literature: the example of the novel The Betrothed, by Alessandro Manzoni), written by Rosa Maria Mijas Beloto, offers a critical analysis of the historical and contemporary relevance of the novel in the context of the Black Death pandemic. The author emphasizes the work’s relevance despite being written in the 18th century and portraying Italy 400 years earlier. The text explores the Enlightenment, the evolution of science, and the significance of the Encyclopedia, relating them to the novel and highlighting literature’s role as a reflection on the human condition during crises. The analysis is well-founded, the writing is clear, and the reading is engaging. However, further elaboration on the analysis, concrete examples from the novel, and exploration of Alessandro Manzoni’s specific contributions to pandemic understanding are suggested.


INTRODUCTION


The Black Death pandemic and its portrayal in literature have been subjects of interest and reflection. The article Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni (Pandemic and Literature: the example of the novel The Betrothed, by Alessandro Manzoni), written by Rosa Maria Mijas Beloto, presents a critical analysis of the relevance of this novel within the historical context of the pandemic. The goal is to demonstrate the contemporary significance of Manzoni’s work, despite its antiquity and distant context. In this article, we will review the analysis proposed by the author, highlighting its strengths and suggesting possible improvements.


HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND FOCUS ON THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND SCIENCE


The article begins by providing historical context, emphasizing the Enlightenment period and the importance of the Encyclopedia in advancing intellectual progress. The author highlights the Enlightenment as a rationalist approach, favoring reason and challenging religious and spiritual explanations in favor of critical thinking. The Encyclopedia is presented as a hallmark of this period, a work that systematized accumulated knowledge and fostered the development of critical thought against authoritarianism.


SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS AND THE PRIMACY OF SCIENCE


The article continues by addressing the primacy of science from the 19th century onwards, with significant advances in natural sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and genetics. The author highlights key figures in this context, including Charles Darwin, Louis Pasteur, and Claude Bernard, whose contributions revolutionized scientific and medical knowledge. Additionally, relevant studies in psychology and philosophy, such as behaviorism and positivism, are mentioned as they influenced the understanding of human behavior and the search for rational, empirical explanations.


THE NOVEL "OS NOIVOS" AND THE THEME OF THE PANDEMIC


Regarding the novel Os Noivos (The Betrothed), by Alessandro Manzoni, the author underscores its relevance in addressing the theme of the Black Death pandemic. The work, written in the 18th century, is presented as a modern example, capable of depicting the challenges and emotions experienced during health crises. The author stresses the importance of understanding the historical context in which the novel was written, emphasizing how literature can provide insights into the human condition across different times.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE WORK


The critical analysis presented in the article is well-founded, demonstrating a deep understanding of both the historical context and the novel’s theme. The author establishes relevant connections between the Enlightenment, scientific evolution, and literature, showing how art can reflect and engage with social and historical issues. The writing is clear, organized, and easy to follow, making the reading smooth and engaging.


SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT


However, the analysis could be enhanced by providing concrete examples from The Betrothed that illustrate the connection between the pandemic and the literary narrative. These examples could highlight how Manzoni depicted the social and psychological impacts of the pandemic on his characters, further enriching the understanding of the work. Moreover, exploring the specific contributions of Manzoni’s novel to the comprehension of the pandemic and its effects on society at the time would add depth to the analysis.


CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the article Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni offers a positive and enriching critical analysis of the relevance of The Betrothed in the context of the Black Death pandemic. The author demonstrates a solid grasp of the subject, providing a consistent and stimulating analysis.


The article establishes a significant connection between the Enlightenment, scientific evolution, and literature, highlighting how these movements influenced the production of scientific knowledge and the way society understood and faced health crises. By relating the novel The Betrothed to the historical context, the author emphasizes the importance of literature as a form of reflection on the human condition during times of crisis.


The writing is clear and accessible, facilitating the reader’s comprehension and making the reading experience engaging. However, to enhance the analysis, it would be beneficial if the author provided concrete examples from the novel illustrating the connection between the pandemic and the literary narrative. Additionally, exploring the specific contributions of Manzoni’s novel to the understanding of pandemics and their social and psychological impacts would enrich the analysis.


In summary, the article Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro Manzoni presents a well-structured and grounded critical review. The author demonstrates solid knowledge of the subject, offering a stimulating analysis that highlights the novel's relevance in the context of the pandemic. With the suggested additions and further elaborations, the article has the potential to be published in a scientific journal.


Bibliographic reference:

Beloto RM. Pandemia e Literatura: o exemplo do romance Os Noivos, de Alessandro

 

0 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page