The History of the Siege of Lisbon

Style and Technique

In «The History of the Siege of Lisbon», José Saramago employs a unique style characterized by complex syntactic structures and long sentences that create a stream-of-consciousness effect. The language of the work is rich with metaphors and symbols, adding layers and depth to the text. Saramago often uses irony and satire to highlight the absurdity of historical events and human nature. Literary devices such as intertextuality and playing with historical facts allow the author to explore themes of memory, truth, and fiction. The narrative structure is nonlinear, with frequent digressions and reflections, creating a sense of dialogue between past and present. Saramago also experiments with punctuation, often eschewing traditional use of periods and commas, enhancing the sense of continuity in the narrative.