Born of Suffering

"You are Moacir, the child born of my suffering."

Jose de Alencar (Iracema 101)

The amount of symbolism and possible analysis from this small phrase can be related to several of the greatest or the smallest of events or ideas that have occurred in the history of the world. One in particular that interestingly applies to this ending theme Alencar writes in this novel is of the results of suffering, which can be applied to the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism.

In Buddhism a frequent and central question is: “Why does suffering and pain exist?”

Hence the Four Noble Truths were created explaining that (1) suffering is in all existence, (2) this suffering is usually caused by desire and attachment, (3) if the desire and attachment is eliminated, so is the suffering, and (4) the Noble Eight-fold Path can eliminate these desires.

Primarily Iracema was desired by her Tabajaran village, though Iracema knew little of suffering until she met Martim. She grew to desire Martim, who also desired her and felt and an attachment towards her, which ultimately became her downfall.

In that desire for attachment Iracema became pregnant with his child, which started the majority the suffering we read about in this novel. We see here that because that desire was never eliminated, in her suffering stage Iracema bore this child, and with this new attachment her suffering only increased, especially with the absence of Martim and never left her until her tragic death.

So why does suffering and pain exist? What comes from this suffering? Alencar writes that the baby of Martim and Iracema brought suffering which is also Brazil, who also that came from this suffering. In the teachings of Buddhism and in this novel something beautiful, complex, and great can come from suffering. Suffering is truly essential in the forming of a nation and a character. As we can more clearly understand and see that all beauty does not have a beautiful beginning.