Themes

Madness the doubt about the philosopher's sanity, which the letter of Saint Augustine leaves open (chapter X), the voice Rubião wonders may be the dog's and dismisses (chapter LXXIX), Napoleon III's beard (chapter CXLVI), the delirium in the coupé (chapter CLIII),... Money and Wealth the will (chapter XIV), the conversation on the train (chapter XXI), the partnership with Palha (chapter LXIX), the ten contos (chapter CVIII), the partnership dissolved by a bank that did not exist (chapter CXXVIII, chapter CXXIX), and the assets assessed... Appearance and Reality Sofia displayed as a showcase (chapter XXXV), the driver and the slander that the narrator hands back to the reader (chapter LXXXIX, chapter CVI), the tear of Sofia in which Rubião believes (chapter CXV), the bank that did not exist (chapter CXXIX), and the... Desire the temptation in the garden (chapter XXVIII), the proposal under the moon (chapter XL), the titled brides with Sofia's face (chapter LXXXII), Maria Benedita's love, which loves as one loves God (chapter CXVIII), the lover's delirium in the coupé (chapter... Loyalty and Betrayal the debt Palha confesses to his wife (chapter L), the glance between Palha and Camacho (chapter LIX), the major who sees contempt in the Palhas (chapter CXXX), the friends who do not follow Rubião to Rua do Príncipe (chapter CLXV), Camacho's coldness (chapter... Ambition the Atalaia (chapter LXI), the candidacy for deputy (chapter C), the amendment to the article (chapter CXI), and Teófilo's crisis with the Ministry (chapter CLXXV, chapter CLXXVII).