Coexistence
The poem explores the theme of coexistence between two individuals who are deeply connected yet fundamentally different. The speaker describes their relationship as a delicate balance between opposing forces, where love and hate, life and death, and beauty and ugliness coexist in a state of tension. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, the poet conveys the complexity and richness of human relationships, highlighting the contradictions and paradoxes that underlie even the most intimate connections.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1951 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 233 words
First lines
The more I live, the more I embody this truth: they don't live except in us, and that's why they scarcely, faintly, and intermittently live.
Outside of us, in what we call time, they may have ceased to live.
And this negative eternity doesn't distress us.
However scarcely and poorly they live inside us, it's still life.
What this Textopian page supports
Coexistence is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1951 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Date: 1951 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Metaphysical Fiction, Modernist Fiction
- Length: 233 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Coexistence by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Coexistence?
- How does this short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Looking For What by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Lesser Life by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Unity by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nakedness by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- The Machine Of The World by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Declaration In Court by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — Explores deep existential themes and the nature of existence.
- Literary Fiction — Focuses on introspective and complex narrative style.
- Psychological Fiction — Delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters.
- Metaphysical Fiction — Addresses abstract concepts such as life, death, and reality.
Tags
Brazilian Literature · Poetry · Modernism · Existential Crisis · Human Condition · Philosophical Themes · Social Commentary · Urban Life · Alienation · Disillusionment · Societal Pressure · Individuality