Bernardino Soares, the semi-heteronymous protagonist of Fernando Pessoa’s The Book of Disquiet, is a figure steeped in melancholic introspection and profound disillusionment. He is an assistant bookkeeper in Lisbon, a seemingly unremarkable position that belies the rich inner life he meticulously documents. Soares is not merely a character; he is a lens through which Pessoa explores themes of alienation, meaninglessness, and the human desire for escape from the banality of existence.
Soares’s writing is characterized by a profound sense of detachment. He observes the world around him with a detached curiosity, dissecting the trivialities of daily life with a sharp and often cynical eye. He finds beauty in the mundane, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary through his evocative prose. A fleeting glimpse of a woman on a tram, the pattern of shadows on a wall, the melancholic sound of rain against a window – all become opportunities for profound philosophical reflection.
One of the defining traits of Soares is his profound sense of inadequacy and insignificance. He constantly questions his own purpose and relevance, convinced that he is destined for mediocrity. This feeling of inadequacy fuels his desire for an escape from the constraints of his life, a yearning that is never fully realized. He dreams of grand adventures and artistic achievements but remains paralyzed by his own self-doubt and inertia. He is, in essence, a prisoner of his own mind.
His work in the office is a source of quiet desperation. He finds the routine tedious and soul-crushing, a stark contrast to the rich and complex world he cultivates within his own thoughts. The office becomes a metaphor for the broader sense of entrapment that pervades his existence. Yet, even in this environment, he manages to find moments of beauty and inspiration, transforming the mundane into something worthy of contemplation.
Soares’s writing style is fragmented and impressionistic, reflecting the disjointed nature of his thoughts and experiences. He jumps from one idea to another, often without clear transitions, creating a sense of stream-of-consciousness that mirrors the chaotic flow of life itself. This stylistic choice underscores the sense of unease and restlessness that permeates his writing.
Ultimately, Bernardino Soares represents a profound exploration of the human condition. He embodies the anxieties and uncertainties of modern life, the struggle to find meaning in a world that often feels devoid of purpose. Through his introspective observations and melancholic reflections, he invites us to confront our own fears and desires, to question the nature of reality, and to find beauty even in the face of despair. He is a reminder that even in the most ordinary of lives, there is the potential for extraordinary thought and profound understanding.
600×600 bernardino soares futuros criativos from www.futuroscriativos.org 
385×551 portela dos pekeninos autarquicas bernardino soares candidato from porteladospekeninos.blogspot.com