A morte está no querer: liberdade, desejo e culpa em A sereia

Abstract

This article presents how the epistolary discourse of Camilo Castelo Branco uses the sentimental discourse, mainly epistolary, to criticize social ills of nineteenth-century Portugal. These injustices were directly associated to the values of the Old Regime, which persisted in the nation that wanted itself modern and egalitarian. Gaspar and Joaquina will go till the bitter end to live their love story. However, hopeless violate an extreme way against all social and religious precepts, proving that love seemed not always to be enough to overcome that "inexorable world".