The Jewish place in Moacyr Scliar’s work: memory and narrativity

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to present a case study that investigated the “Jewish Place” as a collective place built in the imagination of diasporic people. Based on the case study it was possible showing that narratives - including literary and fictional ones - trigger, build and put memories in continuity; thus, they are able to reaffirm and consolidate the understanding about an imaginary collective place connecting individuals, even if they are dispersed in the physical territory. Therefore, we herein reflect about affective memory construction and preservation processes involved in the consolidation of Places, as well as address the key role narratives play in these processes. The present study is based on the analysis of space subjectivities through the reading of two Moacyr Scliar’s works, which seem to delimit a specific cultural place centrally experienced by Jewish characters.