As Benevolentes, de Jonathan Littell: variações sobre o tema do mal

Abstract

In this paper I present a reflection on the representation of evil in Jonathan Littell’s The Kindly Ones, from a psychoanalytical perspective. The reflection is done through variations on the theme: the myth of Orestes (referring to matricide), the perverse nature of the hero (through incest), the obedience to authority (related to the concept of the banality of evil) and the death drive (which moves the death wish). In the background are André Green’s and Klaus Theweleit’s conceptualizations (namely, the negative narcissism and the concept of the soldier not-yet-fully-born), which allows a better understanding of the hero’s psychological processes.