Love

One of the major themes of the book Baltasar and Blimunda by Jose Saramago is that of human love, presented primarily through the main protagonists of the story, although different kinds of love are also depicted.

The love of the main characters, Baltasar and Blimunda is examined in an oblique way by the author; in that it is not directly questioned or analysed, but rather shown in relief through their actions when together and apart, and in contrast to the other characters of the book. This makes an interesting distinction, as other important themes are directly questioned and even ridiculed (the nature of religiosity, human vanity for example), whereas Baltasar and Blimunda's feelings for each other are not treated in the same manner by the narrator. This allows their feelings to be accepted as 'fact' by the reader (and not under question) and also gives their love the...