As Farpas: Chronica Mensal da Politica, das Letras e dos Costumes (1877-01/02)

Description

As Farpas: Chronica Mensal da Politica, das Letras e dos Costumes by Ramalho Ortigão and Eça de Queiroz is a periodical written in the late 19th century. This work serves as a literary and political critique, focusing on the societal and political issues of their time in Portugal. The opening explores themes of political disillusionment, the role of revolutionary and conservative parties, and societal stagnation, with a satirical lens on the state of governance and public discourse. At the start of the publication, the authors invoke irony to convey a sense of liberation from various societal constraints, referencing a fable about a wise old donkey advising his youthful counterpart on the inevitability of life’s burdens. They then shift to a commentary on the political climate, detailing the interplay between revolutionary and conservative parties in Portugal, highlighting a lack of meaningful action and principles from these factions. The narrative emphasizes the stagnation of political thought, the impotence of the government in addressing societal needs, and the critical point that societal evolution often occurs outside of governmental decree, relying on the engagement and innovation of the populace instead. The opening vividly illustrates the malaise present in the political landscape, imbued with humor and pointed observations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)