The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas

Brás encounters Lobo at the theater, and they talk amicably during intermission. Lost in thought, he finds solace in the idea of his and Virgília’s secret house, which ensures their meetings remain discreet. He then reflects on his modest achievements, realizing the need for substantial accomplishments to earn Virgília’s affection.

Brás believes in the interconnectedness of public and private life, proposing they mutually influence one another. He suggests a correlation between Lobo’s resignation from the presidency and a potential impact on his relationship with Virgília. When Lobo reconciles with the ministry, Brás sees it as having a parallel effect on their marriage again.

Virgília informs Brás of her husband’s return to the ministry. He playfully teases her about potentially becoming a baroness and wonders if her loyalty to her husband might waver due to her fondness for nobility. Brás recalls when a Croatian count courted Virgília and how relieved he felt when the courtship ended following turmoil in the nobleman’s country.

Brás reflects on a past event, describing it as disgraceful and regretful. He decides not to disclose the details, deeming it unfit for this chapter.

Brás arrives late to meet Virgília one day, which angers her and Dona. They believe his tardiness indicates interest in another woman. Facing Virgília’s anger and failed reconciliation attempts, Brás becomes annoyed by the triviality of the situation, frustrated by their misunderstanding.

Dona spots Lobo approaching the house while Virgília and Brás are present. Virgília and Dona quickly conceal Brás in the bedroom before Lobo enters. He exchanges brief words with them, engaging in casual conversation. Dona appears anxious. After a quick exchange, Virgília leaves with her husband, encouraging Dona to visit them.

Dona closes the door and sits, visibly distressed. Brás, initially aiming to intervene, attempts to leave, but Dona prevents his departure.

Brás weighs the potential fallout from his ties to Virgília. Dona proposes visiting Lobo discreetly. Brás views the affair as a risky venture, longing for the stability of a tranquil union. Remorseful, he imagines a peaceful domestic scene, desiring a chaste love the opposite of his chaotic affair with Virgília.

Virgília sends Brás a note mentioning Lobo’s suspicions of their affair. Uncertain about the future, she advises caution for now.

Brás finds Virgília’s note puzzling. He reads it repeatedly but struggles to understand his complex emotions toward its content.

Brás welcomes a visit from Quincas Borba. Unlike his previous appearance, he dresses impeccably, exuding a refined manner, and speaks with a restored vigor. He speaks enthusiastically of humanitism, his personal philosophy, but Brás requests that his colleague postpone discussing it, expressing his lack of readiness for such profound conversation.

A week later, Lobo is appointed president of a province. Brás anticipates a rejection, hoping for Virgília to be able to stay in Rio de Janeiro, but the nomination proceeds normally.

Brás discovers a note from Virgília inviting him to meet her that night in the garden. Initially dismissing it as audacious and ridiculous, he contemplates tearing up the note but refrains. Upon reexamination, he discovers that it’s an old note from the beginning of their affair.

Brás encounters Lobo on the street. Observing his restrained demeanor, the protagonist suspects that Lobo fears public judgment, hindering his separation from Virgília to avoid scandal. He predicts that time will blur these events from public scrutiny.

Brás reflects on the significance of public opinion as a crucial binding force in both domestic and political realms, stressing its positive impact. He hints at a potential further exploration of this concept in the book.

Virgília and Brás bid farewell before her departure. They discuss reuniting soon, but their exchange ends abruptly due to onlookers.

After Virgília leaves, Brás experiences a sense of both relief and yearning. He unexpectedly finds comfort during lunch at a renowned hotel restaurant, savoring the sumptuous meal that seems tailor-made for the occasion.

After Virgília’s departure, Brás spends days indoors indulging in idle contemplation and reminiscing. During this period, his family experiences several changes, including his uncle and two cousins’ deaths and the birth of his niece. He treats these events casually while immersing himself in old love letters, reliving the past, and finding solace in his memories.

Quincas explains his personal philosophy, humanitism. Inspired by Brahmanism, humanitism categorizes humankind, linking origin to strength or weakness, akin to a caste system. It embraces war and envy in its teachings and leads individuals to understand that harmony springs from all being aware of their place and role in society. To illustrate this point, Quincas mentions how the chicken he is eating is the result of the shared efforts of many. His confident presentation impresses Brás, who reads all four volumes of this work detailing it.

Brás feels drawn to the buzz of activity and craves attention, unable to endure solitude. He longs for the spotlight and muses over his desire to engage in something purposeful.

Brás shares a handful of maxims he penned in moments of boredom and contemplation, which offer concise and witty observations on human behavior and life’s quirks.

Brás, prompted by his sister Sabina’s insistence, contemplates the idea of marriage and fatherhood. The concept of having children stirs something profound within him, pushing him to consider courting Nhã-loló. He confides in Quincas about his paternal inclinations, finding support and encouragement from the philosopher, who relates these feelings to his concept of humanitism.

After three months, Brás begins courting Nhã-loló, influenced by her charm and encouragement from her father, Damasceno, and Sabina. Exiting church with Nhã-loló and Damasceno one day, they encounter a crowd engrossed in a cockfight. Damasceno, absorbed in the spectacle, becomes deeply engaged in the fight. Nhã-loló, unsettled and embarrassed, urges Brás to leave while her father stays, discussing the fight animatedly with other spectators.

Nhã-loló worries about her father’s actions, fearing they might affect Brás’s opinion of her. She aims for sophistication and often mimics the elite, trying to bridge the social gap between them. Her father’s behavior deeply upsets her, causing visible distress. Brás tries to lift her spirits with humor, but her sadness persists. Recognizing Nhã-loló’s distress, Brás considers how marrying her would rescue her from a lower social standing.

Brás seeks Cotrim’s opinion on marrying Nhã-loló. Cotrim commends Nhã-loló but refrains from influencing his brother-in-law’s choice, claiming neutrality in family affairs. Brás describes Cotrim as a man of unwavering integrity and strong moral principles but exposes others’ condemnations of his callous treatment of enslaved individuals and his involvement in smuggling.

Brás crafts this chapter to prevent a jarring transition from the previous story to an epitaph for Nhã-loló’s death.

The narrator shares the epitaph that marks Nhã-loló’s grave. She passed away at the age of 19 from yellow fever.

Brás admits his restrained grief and lack of genuine affection for Nhã-loló, though he is incredulous after her death. Her father, feeling abandoned during the burial, laments the sparse attendance at her funeral.

Brás lauds his knack for linking seemingly unconnected matters. Reflecting on formalities such as the lack of attendance at Nhã-loló’s funeral, he praises the significance of formalities, acknowledging their role in easing pain and promoting understanding, even if they seem insignificant.

Two years after Nhã-loló’s death, Brás, now a deputy, attends a lively session at the Chamber of Deputies, where he sees Lobo Neves giving a speech.

While listening to Lobo’s speech, Brás admits a lack of remorse regarding his affair with Virgília.