Declaration in Court
The poem explores the speaker's crisis of identity and morality through a dramatic monologue in which they confess their guilt and shame before an unspecified authority figure. The speaker recounts their past mistakes, acknowledging their complicity in societal injustices and their own moral decay. Throughout the poem, the speaker's tone oscillates between defiance, irony, and despair, reflecting their inner turmoil and struggle to come to terms with their actions.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1973 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 742 words
First lines
I beg pardon for being the survivor.
Not for long, of course.
What this Textopian page supports
Declaration in Court is listed on Textopian as a short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1973 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: 1973 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Drama, Absurdist Fiction
- Length: 742 words
- Structure: 1 section, 34 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Declaration in Court 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 Declaration in Court?
- How does this short story by Carlos Drummond de Andrade fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on introspective and existential themes, exploring the human condition and the protagonist's internal struggles.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into deep philosophical questions about existence, purpose, and the nature of survival.
- Psychological Fiction — The work examines the psychological state of the protagonist, emphasizing his mental and emotional experiences.
- Drama — The narrative structure and tone convey a dramatic monologue, reflecting the protagonist's sense of isolation and despair.
Tags
Poetry · Brazilian Literature · Modernism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Experimental Writing · Autobiographical Elements · Psychological Insight · Philosophical Themes · Existential Crisis · Urban Life · Alienation · Disillusionment