Nature in a mirror labyrinth in A Desumanização, by Valter Hugo Mãe

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to examine how the nature of Iceland unfolds in the narrative of Halla, the protagonist of the novel A desumanização (2017) by the Portuguese writer Valter Hugo Mãe. In this mythical recreation, Iceland is metaphorically inscribed, assuming the role of a narrative character. Nature, in this context, serves as a mirror. As the narrative unfolds, nature and characters reflect each other, creating a labyrinthine effect that imparts poetic density to the text. Through the protagonist’s imagination, water, fire, earth, and air replicate and intertwine, forming images where the boundaries between reality and fantasy become indistinguishable. To analyze this mirrored construction, we primarily draw on the studies of Gaston Bachelard concerning space, imagination, and fire. Additionally, we incorporate Jorge Luís Borges’ reflections on the labyrinth concept. The primary objective of this article is to contribute to the critical reception of the author and the work by providing a critical exploration of the novel’s poetic space.