A revolutionary political plot develops, opposed to the coercive madhouse, at least until it takes power and the madhouse becomes a useful tool for enforcing the junta’s power. Bacamarte’s theories evolve, and the definition of insanity expands. It was likely she would give him healthy, robust children… he would not be tempted to sacrifice his scientific pursuits to the contemplation of his wife’s attractions.” (1)Īfter the first surprisingly large “torrent of madmen,” Dr. The doctor replied that Dona Evarista enjoyed perfect digestion, excellent eyesight, and normal blood pressure she had had no serious illnesses and her urinalysis was negative. Bacamarte’s reasons for choosing his wife (“neither beautiful nor charming”) tells us exactly who he is: Grossman translated.Ī famous psychiatrist, “one of the greatest doctors in all Brazil, Portugal, and the Spains,” returns to his obscure home town to conduct his researches, marries, and opens a mental asylum, although to many citizens “he idea of having madmen live together in the same house seemed itself to be a symptom of madness” (3). I read it in The Psychiatrist and Other Stories (1963) William L. Exact contemporaries, careful readers of each other’s work – Eça actually rewrote an entire novel because of Machado’s criticisms – they could hardly be more different.Ī preview today, Machado’s novella The Psychiatrist (1881-2), a prescient satire of the new profession and of social science in general. Next week, if all goes well, I will balance my Eça de Queirós obsession with some Machado de Assis.

Wuthering Expectations will be closed for the holiday on Thursday and Friday.

The psychiatrist machado de assis