A Lenda da Meia-Noite

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23400

Title

A Lenda da Meia-Noite

Language

pt

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the atmospheric estate of the Viscounts of Fragosa, this tale explores the power of imagination and the supernatural. When a group of friends gathers to read ghost stories at midnight, a young woman's fear of the macabre contrasts with her friend's artistic sensitivity. The narrative shifts to a poignant story about a discarded green purse at an auction, symbolizing the lingering grief of the deceased, before returning to the guests' interactions and an unexpected romantic conclusion.

Summary up to 500 words

The story opens at the isolated estate of the Viscounts of Fragosa in the Beira-Baixa region. On a windy autumn evening, a group of friends gathers in the main hall to read ghost stories. Among them is D. Isaura, a Lisbon woman who claims to fear legends, and her friend Leonor, who possesses a sensitive, imaginative soul. As the clock strikes midnight, Isaura becomes terrified, believing the hour is for phantoms, while the others dismiss her fears. The atmosphere is thick with the sound of the wind and the looming presence of the mountains. The reading begins with a story titled "Memórias de uma bolsa verde" (Memories of a Green Purse). The narrator recounts attending an auction for the belongings of a recently deceased widow. While heirs and buyers carelessly sell off furniture and books, the narrator is moved by a green purse with gold fringes that has been torn and ruined by time. To the crowd, it is a joke; to the narrator, it is a tragic relic of the woman's life, weeping amidst the laughter of the greedy. This segment highlights the cruelty of those who profit from death and the enduring spirit of memory. The narrative then transitions to a second story, "Memórias de uma bolsa verde" (though the text presents a story involving a character named Patricio and a girl named Jenny, seemingly a different tale or a continuation within the same manuscript reading). In this account, a mischievous spirit (a duende) tries to steal a girl's reputation by making her sneeze repeatedly during a wedding ceremony. The fiancé, Patricio, struggles with his master's threats but ultimately gathers his courage to save the girl, shouting "Dominus tecum" (The Lord be with you) to banish the spirit. The spirit, defeated, transforms into a human figure, and the story ends with a lesson on kindness and courage. Back in the main hall, the reading concludes. The doctor Macedo reveals that the first story was actually written by Leonor, the sensitive girl, inspired by the events of the night. This revelation shifts the dynamic among the guests. Henrique Osorio, who had been infatuated with Isaura, realizes he has been blind to Leonor's true nature and depth. He feels a profound connection to her, seeing her as an angelic figure. The doctor notes that Henrique has finally matured, realizing the depth of his feelings for Leonor. The next day, Henrique's mother arrives to ask for Leonor's hand in marriage. The group reflects on the night's events, noting that while the nervous Isaura remains afraid of ghosts, the others have found comfort and love. Henrique declares that he found his life's happiness in the legend. The story ends with the doctor remarking that the legend of midnight has an unexpected conclusion, proving that even in tales of fear, love and human connection prevail. The book concludes with a list of typographical corrections and a catalog of other works in the publisher's collection.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Fiction