The Error of Thinking that the Picture of Actual Dreams can be Used in only one Way
Abstract
In 1914, the Spanish novelist, dramatist, poet and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno published one of his well-known works, Niebla. Unamuno allows that his characters speak and speak although they say nothing at all: in this way the author begins believing he takes his characters by the hand, but in the end becomes his characters´ fiction. And not only does Unamuno give free rein to his characters´ dialogues but describes thoughts and feelings in great detail too; as a matter of fact, he uses expressions of the kind of (Unamuno 1996, 180) "si Augusto hubiera podido leer en el espÃritu de Rosarioâ€? (`if Augusto could have read in Rosario´s spirit´), or (ib, 204) "¡Oh, si pudiesen verme por dentro, VÃctor, te aseguro que no dirÃan tal cosa!â€? (`Oh Victor, if they could see inside me, I am sure they would not say such a thing!´). Up to this point there is nothing special about Niebla, but before committing suicide, Augusto decides to consult Unamuno: that is, the main character has a meeting with the author. But as soon as Augusto begins to tell his life and misfortune, Unamuno invites his character to save himself such a work because "de las vicisitudes de su vida sabÃa yo tanto como élâ€? (`I [Unamuno] knew the ups and downs of his life as well as Augusto himself´). Unamuno proves his words quoting Augusto´s secrets; so the character, absolutely terrified, trembling and as if he were in front of an unbelievable being, murmurs: "puesto que usted parece saber sobre mà tanto como sé yo mismo, acaso adivine mi propósitoâ€? (`since you seem to know about my life as much as I do know, maybe you should guess my intention´)