Portugal as space of ruptures and continuities in A geração da utopia, by Pepetela

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the relationship between A Geração da Utopia by Pepetela, and the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. The novel follows the trajectory of four Angolans over thirty years of history (1961 to 1991), whose lives are marked by revolutionary experiences in all spheres. The representations in the novel contribute to the understanding of History through Literature, revealing the inseparability of the histories of Portugal and Angola. The Carnation Revolution represents a turning point in the narrative, symbolizing the collapse of the Salazarist regime and the possibility of consolidating African independences. In the novel, this historical moment is portrayed as a redefinition of domination and exploitation of the Angolan people; while it supports the path to independence, it also reveals the internal contradictions of the new revolutionary power. Thus, the Carnation Revolution is key to understanding the paths of rupture and continuity throughout the novel.