Only God can judge me

Abstract

This paper results from research that has been carried out for some time, focused on the ordinary discourse. We understand that such discourse is ephemeral and trivial, belongs to the order and ratifies it, fulfills its role and does not resort to ritual pomp. Because it occurs spontaneously, it seems to loosen the shackles and allow “everything” to be said. For its study, we observe, specifically, the short responses of everyday conversation, which are relatively short in length, respond to an immediate injunction, are difficult to memorize, and seem to be evanescent and unimportant. In this article, we analyze the statement “Só Deus pode me julgar” (Only God can judge me), tattooed on a prisoner’s back, who, being filmed bare back in an interview, allowed a glimpse of the tattoo. The aim is to understand which interdiscursive ties and effects of meaning this discourse produces, in light of the conditions in which it occurs.