The Hour of the Star by Lispector: A Tragic Fortune

First, I found that the writing style of this book was interesting. Macabea’s story is told through Rodrigo S.M., a narrator created by the author, Clarice Lispector. I think I would have preferred Lispector directly telling Macabea’s story, rather than having Rodrigo cut in and out in mysterious, ambiguous, and confusing ways.

Overall, the novel portrays themes of poverty, acceptance, and the enjoyment of small things in life. At first, I was reminded of the protagonist in last week’s book, Natalia, a woman struggling through an impoverished life during the Spanish Civil War. Somewhat similarly to Natalia, Macabea doesn’t question her place in the world and simply keeps moving along: “She wasn’t crying because of the life she led: because, never having led any other, she’d accepted that with her that was just the way things were” (42). She doesn’t engage in deep reflection or push for drastic change. However, when Macabea meets the fortune teller, her frame of mind clearly shifts, as she becomes encapsulated by the idea of a bright future.

The quick turn of events when Macabea’s death came was shocking. But maybe I am not entirely surprised, since the element of shock has become a recurring theme in the novels we are reading in this class. This moment felt extremely disheartening and almost cruel, as just moments prior Macabea had gained a sense of hope and self-renewal. After her death, Rodrigo’s words, “For now Macabea was nothing more than a vague feeling on the dirty cobble stones. I could leave her lying on the street and simply not finish the story” (74), felt so dehumanizing and unthoughtful.

When I first read the title "The Hour of the Star",  I imagined I would be reading a book in which the protagonist experiences some intense breakthrough. However, Macabea’s “hour of the star” was not so much a breakthrough as it was a break away from her actual life (and toward the afterlife). Overall, I am still contemplating the meaning of this novel. Perhaps it seeks to remind readers that death is unavoidable and can come at any instant. This aligns with the final words of the story: “And now - now all I can do is light a cigarette and go home. My God, I just remembered that we die. But - but me too?! Don’t forget that for now it’s strawberry season. Yes.” (77) Anyways, I feel quite sad and defeated after finishing this.

Question for my peers: What do you think was the greater meaning of this book? I would really love to hear your thoughts as I am grappling with this myself.

The photo I have chosen below represents how I imagined Macabea after her death: silent, defeated, and at the end of her "fortune".