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Algum tempo hesitei se devia abrir estas memorias pelo principio ou pelo fim, isto e, se poria em primeiro lugar o meu nascimento ou a minha morte. Suposto o uso vulgar seja comecar pelo nascimento, duas consideracoes me levaram a adotar diferente metodo: a primeira e que eu nao sou propriamente um autor defunto mas um defunto autor, para quem a campa foi outro berco; a segunda e que o escrito ficaria assim mais galante e mais novo. Moises, que tambem contou a sua morte, nao a pos no introito, mas no cabo: diferenca radical entre este livro e o Pentateuco.

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis#11

LiteratureDeathStructure

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author debates whether to start his memoirs with his birth or his death, choosing death to appear more daring and youthful.
In plain terms
He starts his story with his death to seem bolder and newer.
What can you take from it?
Choosing an unconventional opening can make a narrative feel fresh.

Where it applies

  • writing a memoir
  • structuring an autobiography

Putting it to work

  • begin with a striking event
  • reverse chronological order

Questions to consider

  • What impact does the opening have on reader expectations?
  • Can unconventional structures enhance a story?

Another view

Starting with death may alienate readers expecting a traditional beginning.

More from Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis

  1. A vida e tao bela que a mesma ideia da morte precisa de vir primeiro a ela, antes de se ver cumprida.

    Permalink to quote #10
  2. Homem e:uma errata pensante, isso sim. Cada estacao da vida e uma edicao, que corrige a anterior, e que sera corrigida tambem, ate a edicao definitiva, que o e…

    Permalink to quote #12
  3. Tudo acaba, leitor; e um velho truismo, a que se pode acrescentar que nem tudo o que dura muito tempo. Esta segunda parte nao acha crentes faceis, ao contrario…

    Permalink to quote #9

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