NATIONAL SENTIMENT IN THE CARAGIALE DYNASTY OF WRITERS- A RELIGIOUS NUANCE

This paper delves into the spiritual and historical dimensions of the Caragiale family’s literary legacy, focusing on the profound intersection of religion, nationalism, and the remnants of Romania’s aristocratic past. I. L. Caragiale and Mateiu I. Caragiale are central figures whose writings reflect the spiritual dissonance of Romanian identity through their critique of political systems, national values, and historical allegories. I. L. Caragiale’s satirical works, including O scrisoare pierdută (A Lost Letter) and D-ale carnavalului (Of the Carnival), serve as powerful tools to explore the collision between Christian morality and political corruption. His son, Mateiu, presents a melancholic vision of Romania’s spiritual and historical decline, particularly in Craii de Curtea-Veche (The Rakes of the Old Court), where decayed nobility and forgotten courts become allegories of a sacred, yet lost past. This study combines theological reflections with a literary analysis, offering a nuanced reading of how the Caragiale family’s works provide insight into the Romanian soul’s enduring struggle with its divine and national identity.