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In "All the Names," José Saramago explores the intricate interplay between individual identity, bureaucracy, and the search for meaning within the vastness of modern society. The novel centers on Senhor José, a mild-mannered, introverted clerk who works in the Central Registry of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, a government office responsible for documenting every citizen’s life. Through Senhor José’s obsession with the names he catalogues, Saramago delves into themes of anonymity, the significance of personal identity, and the dehumanizing effects of an over-regulated, data-driven world. The structure of the book mirrors the protagonist’s sense of entrapment and alienation, with long, winding sentences and few breaks between them, creating a flow that reflects the monotonous and bureaucratic nature of Senhor José’s existence.
Senhor José’s life is shaped by routine and a quiet obsession with the records he manages. His work becomes his entire world, a world of names and numbers, where he seeks to find patterns and meaning in the lives of people he will never meet. When he stumbles upon the name of a woman, a mysterious figure who seems to have no identity beyond her name, his life begins to take an unexpected turn. This woman, whose name is not linked to any known record, sparks an obsessive curiosity in him. The pursuit of this name becomes an anchor for his life, a search for truth and self-realization amid an impersonal world.
The novel subtly critiques the impersonal nature of modern bureaucracies, where individuals are reduced to mere entries in a ledger. Senhor José’s obsession with the woman’s name illustrates how easily people can be lost in such systems, how their existence can be reduced to a file, and how their personal stories are often irrelevant in the grand machine of society. Saramago’s depiction of this administrative system reflects the author’s ongoing interest in themes of power and control, showing how institutions operate not just as systems of record but as forces that strip individuals of their humanity. Through this setting, Saramago paints a picture of a society where personal connections and individual narratives are overshadowed by the overwhelming power of records and documentation.
Senhor José’s journey becomes one of existential discovery, questioning his own role in the world and the meaning of his existence. His investigation into the identity of the woman leads him on a quest that takes him beyond the sterile walls of the office into the broader, more unpredictable world outside. In this journey, Saramago touches on themes of loneliness, desire, and the search for purpose. Senhor José’s attempts to connect with the woman—whose name he has discovered through his work—serve as an exploration of the tension between personal isolation and the yearning for human connection. His pursuit is not only about uncovering her identity but also about understanding his own.
The novel’s narrative technique, often described as fluid and meandering, reflects the disorienting nature of the protagonist’s journey. Saramago’s use of long sentences and sparse punctuation mirrors the internal complexity and confusion of Senhor José. This narrative style also conveys the sense of being trapped in an overwhelming and suffocating system, where escape is as elusive as the woman’s identity. The lack of clear distinctions between dialogue and narration further emphasizes the blurred lines between thought and action in the novel, underscoring the idea that the protagonist’s thoughts are inextricably linked to his experiences, making it difficult for him to differentiate between what is real and what he imagines.