Dom Casmurro

Bento fears that asking about Capitú might have suggested his main reason for leaving the seminary. José Dias discusses Capitú’s happiness and suggests her potential interest in marrying soon. Bento is overwhelmed with jealousy and contemplates rushing to her house, but conflicting emotions paralyze him. Yearning to go home, he is thrilled to learn that a visit is set for Saturday.

Anxious for Saturday’s visit, Bento’s dreams torment him on the days prior. In one of them, he sees a young man talking to Capitú below her window. As he intervenes, the dream transitions to Capitú’s father, Padua, who is lamenting a losing lottery ticket with the number 4004. Padua disappears, and Capitú, leaning out the window, holds Bento’s hands before the dream ends. Despite persistent efforts to return to the dream, Bento fails, and the restless night affects his performance at the seminary the next day.

Pausing the narrative, Bento takes a moment to ponder his dreams from the seminary days, drawing a parallel between them and his attempt to recreate his childhood home in his old age. He draws a connection between the two instances of trying to bridge the past and present. Stepping away from the manuscript, Bento shifts his gaze to the window, contemplating the delicate nature of dreams. He questions why dreams vanish so swiftly upon waking, attributing their fragility to the intricate workings of the human mind rather than fantastical elements. Unlike in his youth, Bento is now content with a tranquil night’s sleep. As he prepares to rest, he makes a commitment to resume his narrative the following morning.

Bento settles into a routine of balancing life between home and the seminary. On a visit to Capitú’s house, she advises him to leave early and prioritize undisturbed time with his mother. During a family conversation, Dona Gloria questions Capitú and José Dias about Bento’s potential as a priest. Capitú confidently expresses her belief in his vocation, leaving Bento puzzled. The next day, Bento confronts Capitú regarding her statement and seemingly nonchalant attitude in his absence. Capitú explains that their separation also saddens her, and even her mother has advised her to keep her distance. Nonetheless, her actions are a deliberate strategy to avoid arousing suspicions and protect their relationship. Bento applauds her plan and agrees to abide by it.

On another occasion, Dona Gloria shares Capitú once commented on her wish for Bento to ordain at her wedding. Uncle Cosme and José Dias respond with amusement, while Cousin Justina directs an inquisitive gaze at Bento, who is pleased with Capitú’s astuteness and confident in their ability to deceive those around them.

At the seminary, Bento forms friendships with the padres and his colleagues, especially Escobar. After five weeks, he considers confiding in Escobar about his troubles, but Capitú advises against it, stressing the importance of maintaining secrecy in their relationship.

Capitú forms a close bond with Dona Gloria, frequently visiting the Santiago household. As their intimacy deepens, Cousin Justina’s demeanor shifts, leading her to distance herself from Capitú. Despite often smiling reluctantly, Cousin Justina’s underlying resentment surfaces in private conversations with Dona Gloria, where she often criticizes Capitú. When Bento’s mother falls seriously ill, she requests Capitú as her nurse, adding strain to her relationship with Cousin Justina. Despite the relief from household duties, Cousin Justina harbors resentment, often making critical remarks about Capitú’s presence.

When Dona Gloria falls seriously ill, she urgently summons Bento back from the seminary, dispatching José Dias to bring him home. As they walk home, fear and dread consume Bento, who envisions the worst possible outcome. Fleetingly, a selfish thought crosses his mind, contemplating the end of his seminary duties with his mother’s death. However, swift remorse overwhelms him, leading to tears. José Dias offers solace, assuring Bento that his mother’s condition is serious but not fatal. Upon arrival home, Bento remains by his mother’s side, mentally seeking forgiveness for his momentary selfishness. He attempts to reconcile his transgression by vowing to say two thousand paternosters, increasing his existing debt.

Bento believes all are born with a natural balance of sins and virtues. He commits to exposing both favorable and unfavorable aspects of his character in his storytelling. Acknowledging his selfish thoughts during his mother’s illness as a sin, he attempts to recall a virtuous action from the same period to counterbalance it. However, constrained by time, he shares an anecdote to illustrate the duality he describes.

Bento, feeling a deep need for spiritual reconciliation after his mother’s recovery, attends Mass alone. He expresses gratitude for his mother’s life, seeks forgiveness for his sin, and asks for the annulment of his promise of two thousand paternosters. While contemplating the effectiveness of confession for moral reconciliation, Bento decides against it due to his shyness, fearing he cannot articulate his secret. Reflecting on his personal transformation in hindsight, he acknowledges his present willingness to openly share his past secrets.

As Bento exits the church, he meets Sancha, Capitú’s schoolmate, and her father. She asks about Dona Gloria, and he shares the news of her recovery. Gurgel, Sancha’s father, invites Bento to breakfast, but he declines, mentioning his mother’s expectations. However, he agrees to a brief rest at their home. During their conversation, Gurgel offers advice on Bento’s studies and potential path as a priest.

Escobar pays a visit to the Santiago household out of concern for Dona Gloria’s health. Uncle Cosme invites him to dinner. Throughout dinner, a warm and genuine friendship develops among the guests, and the Santiago family forms a positive opinion of Escobar. After the meal, as Escobar boards the omnibus, he and Bento share an affectionate goodbye. Capitú, who has been discreetly observing the interaction, opens the window and inquires after the identity of this significant friend.

Bento contemplates the unpredictability of destiny, drawing a comparison to the structure of a drama. He suggests a reform to the genre, using Othello as an example, proposing a reversal in the order of the Acts. According to his idea, the story would commence with the conclusion, and then delve into the causes leading to the main characters’ deaths. Bento argues that this approach, akin to a newspaper charade, would offer the audience a clearer understanding of the narrative. In this proposed reform, the last Acts would elucidate the catastrophe of the first, resulting in a more satisfying and emotionally resonant experience for the audience.

Bento expands his metaphor of destiny as a drama, stating that destiny acts as its own stage manager, determining when characters make their entrance onto the “stage” of life. He offers proof by recounting an incident that followed Capitú’s inquiry about Escobar. While standing beneath Capitú’s window, Bento observes a familiar horseman passing by. This rider, a regular presence in the afternoons, turns to gaze at Capitú as he goes past. Capitú reciprocates the look. This encounter triggers another bout of jealousy in Bento. Without expressing these feelings to Capitú, Bento swiftly departs from the street and retreats into the living room.

In the living room, Uncle Cosme and José Dias are talking. Bento, recalling José Dias’s earlier mention of Capitú’s marriage prospects, desires to confront him regarding the possible involvement of the horse rider he just saw. Impatient to seek an explanation from Capitú, Bento wishes to return to her house. Uncle Cosme leaves to attend to Dona Gloria, and sensing Bento’s unease, José Dias approaches him. Fearing the truth, Bento redirects the conversation by noting that one of his trouser straps is unbuttoned and abruptly leaves the room.

In a state of despair, Bento retreats to his room, determined to cut all ties with Capitú and commit to a religious life. He ruminates, filled with jealousy, and envisions a scenario where, as a priest, he harshly rejects Capitú’s repentance with scorn. As he lies on the bed, he hears her laughter, indicating her presence in the house. Bento remains steadfast in his isolation, wrestling with intense emotions, even indulging in disturbing fantasies of harming Capitú.

Feeling weary and downcast after isolating himself, Bento skips supper and sleeps poorly. The next day, he pretends to have a severe headache to avoid going to the seminary, intending to talk to Capitú instead. Despite his fear that she may prefer the man on horseback, Bento confesses his suspicions.

Capitú is hurt and denies any involvement with the young man, explaining that he is about to be married to a girl in the neighborhood. Capitú promises not to look out of the window to prevent further misunderstandings, but Bento discourages her from it. Instead, Capitú warns that any future suspicion from Bento would lead to the end of their relationship. Bento accepts the condition, vowing that this will be his first and last suspicion.

Bento reflects on how the sufferings of his adolescent love have transformed into a form of pleasure over time. Although he struggles to articulate the specific joy derived from revisiting this past ordeal, he acknowledges that the recollection also evokes memories of other experiences he prefers to forget.

Upon returning to the seminary, Escobar notices Bento’s absentmindedness and advises him to conceal it. Bento shares with Escobar his feelings for Capitú, confessing his inability to pursue the priesthood due to his love for her. Surprisingly, Escobar discloses that he, too, has no intention of completing the seminary, as his true passion lies in commerce. Bento speaks highly of Capitú’s moral qualities to Escobar. Bento is pleased to have Escobar as a confidant, and they plan for Escobar to visit again when Capitú returns. Bento mentions that the entire family has grown fond of Escobar, and in turn, Escobar praises Dona Gloria’s angelic nature.

In recalling Escobar’s admiration for his mother, Bento acknowledges his conflicting feelings about her promise for his ecclesiastical career. Bento still regards her as a saint. He hints at a weighty and complex revelation concerning his mother’s change of heart, which he promises to explain in the upcoming chapter.

Reflecting on his mother’s commitment to his ecclesiastical career, Bento notes the initial comfort she found in the promise she made before his birth. Over time, she delayed his entry into the seminary and wished she could exchange promises so that he would build a family life outside the clergy. During Bento’s time away, Capitú’s presence and the warmth she brought to the household fostered a subtle hope within Dona Gloria that he might eventually choose not to stay in the seminary.

Now aware of his mother’s later change of heart, Bento recounts a conversation with her that takes on new significance. On his first return from the seminary, Dona Gloria suggests Bento visit Capitú, who is at her friend Sancha’s house. Cousin Justina implies that Capitú went to her friend’s house to flirt with young men, sparking intense anger and doubt in Bento. To verify Cousin Justina’s remark, Bento hurries to Sancha’s house, only to find her father distraught as Sancha is ill with a worsening fever. Capitú, acting as Sancha’s nurse, appears fatigued but brightens up upon seeing Bento. Both engage in a hushed conversation, concealing their words to prevent others from overhearing.

Seated closely, Bento and Capitú discuss Sancha’s improving health. Bento truthfully explains the reason for his visit, citing his mother’s suggestion. Capitú responds with enthusiasm at the implied approval and encouragement from Dona Gloria, and both clasp their hands.

Gurgel, Sancha’s father, enters the room. Despite Bento’s concerns about Gurgel suspecting their involvement, Capitú calmly inquires after Sancha’s well-being and confidently bids farewell to Bento. Bento, envious of her composed demeanor, observes her increasing maturity. Gurgel, also noticing the changes, compares Capitú to a portrait of his late wife, emphasizing the striking physical and emotional resemblance, even though Capitú and his late wife are not related. Gurgel comments on the peculiar coincidences in life.

Leaving Gurgel’s house content, Bento’s mood shifts when he encounters the owner of a nearby china shop on the street. Tearfully, the man informs Bento of his son Manduca’s recent death, who had mentioned Bento just days before. The man persuades Bento to enter his house and pay respects to the deceased. The news disrupts Bento’s joyful thoughts, casting a shadow on his contentment and inconveniencing his day.

Bento reluctantly enters the china shop where he encounters a scene of mourning for Manduca. The dimly-lit house holds the grieving mother, frightened children, and the corpse laid out on the bed. Bento, initially repulsed, reflects on the ugliness of death. He learns that Manduca suffered from leprosy, adding to the horror of his appearance. His father extends an invitation to the funeral but Bento, feeling overwhelmed, quickly excuses himself, expressing uncertainty about attending and hastily leaving.

Bento quickly returns home, attempting to shake off the disturbing image of Manduca’s death. He finds solace and distraction in remembering Capitú and their previous encounter. Bento encourages readers to embrace love, particularly with beautiful and spirited individuals like Capitú, suggesting that love has the capacity to serve as a remedy for life’s challenges.

Bento decides to request his mother to rent a carriage for the occasion. He fondly recalls the childhood delight of riding in the family’s old chaise, peering through glass eye-holes and observing the lively scenes on the street. Despite sentimental attachment as a remembrance of his late father, financial constraints led Bento’s mother to eventually relinquish the chaise, having kept it for a period along with other mementos of her husband.

Bento considers the funeral attendance as a strategy to skip the seminary and secure another visit to Capitú, eagerly anticipating moments during this upcoming encounter. Bento views the pretext of attending the funeral as not entirely negative but rather as an honorable excuse.

Bento requests his mother to attend the funeral, explaining Manduca’s friendship and the family’s financial difficulties. Cousin Justina opposes the idea, questioning the authenticity of the supposed friendship. In the end, Dona Gloria supports Cousin Justina’s stance, leaving Bento disappointed. The following day, Bento reflects on the situation and finds a certain satisfaction in Cousin Justina’s possible motive for preventing his attendance.

While passing the china shop the following morning, Bento reflects on his only interaction with the now-deceased Manduca. Despite Manduca’s delicate health, they engaged in a spirited written debate on the Crimean War, passionately defending their viewpoints. This intellectual exchange brought Manduca a sense of purpose and joy amidst life’s challenges. The lively debate continued for a while but eventually waned, before Manduca succumbed to his illness.