Memories of the Monastery

Main Ideas

• The book explores the theme of power and its influence on society, showing how the monarchy and the church use their authority to achieve their own goals.
• Saramago examines human ambitions and dreams, illustrating how they can be both a driving force for progress and a source of destruction.
• The theme of love and human relationships runs throughout the novel, showing how personal connections can withstand social and political pressures.
• The author uses magical realism to highlight the contrast between reality and fantasy, creating a unique narrative atmosphere.
• The book addresses issues of social justice and inequality, depicting the lives of ordinary people under harsh exploitation and poverty.
• Saramago explores the theme of memory and history, emphasizing how they shape the collective consciousness and identity of society.