7.1 "Borges y yo” – Jorge Luis Borges

5 min read•january 30, 2023

Riya Patel

AP Spanish Literature 💃🏽

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Background on Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) was an Argentine writer and poet considered one of the most important and influential figures in 20th century Latin American literature. He was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and began writing at a young age.

Borges is best known for his imaginative and thought-provoking short stories and poems, which often blend elements of fantasy, science fiction, and philosophy. He is also known for his love of literature, and his works often reference and pay homage to other writers and works of literature.

Borges' work has been widely translated and has been praised for its originality, complexity, and beauty. He was a major influence on the development of the magical realism movement in Latin American literature, and his work has been highly regarded by scholars and critics around the world.

In addition to his literary achievements, Borges was also a political activist, and his opposition to totalitarianism and fascism led him to become involved in resistance movements during World War II. He later served as a director of the National Library of Argentina.

Despite his blindness, which he developed in his late fifties, Borges continued to write and publish until his death in 1986. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, and his work continues to be widely read and celebrated around the world.

Overview of “Borges y yo”

"Borges y yo" is a short essay by Jorge Luis Borges, first published in 1966. The essay is written in the first person and reflects on the relationship between the author and his literary alter ego, Jorge Luis Borges.

In the essay, Borges reflects on how he and the character of Borges are both writers and thinkers, and how they have influenced each other over time. He explores the idea that the character of Borges is a product of his own imagination, and yet is also a distinct and separate entity.

Throughout the essay, Borges muses on the nature of identity and the relationship between reality and fiction. He reflects on how his own life and works have shaped the character of Borges, and how the character of Borges has, in turn, impacted his own life and work.

"Borges y yo" is considered a classic example of Borges' unique and imaginative writing style, and is widely regarded as one of his most important works. The essay is often studied for its exploration of themes such as identity, reality, and the relationship between the author and their work.

Themes and Motifs

Themes and motifs in "Borges y yo" by Jorge Luis Borges include:

Identity: The theme of identity is central to the essay, as Borges explores the relationship between the author and his literary alter ego, Borges.
Reality vs. fiction: Borges muses on the relationship between reality and fiction and the line between the two.
The creative process: The essay reflects on the role of the writer and the creative process, and how the author and their work interact and shape each other.
Self-reflection: The essay is a self-reflection on Borges' life, work, and relationship with the character of Borges.
Time and memory: Borges reflects on the passage of time and the role of memory in shaping the author and their work.
Literature and art: Borges' love of literature and art is evident throughout the essay, as he references other writers and works of art, and reflects on the role of literature and art in shaping the author and their work.
Paradox: Borges uses paradox and irony to explore the themes and motifs in the essay, highlighting the complex and often confusing relationship between reality and fiction, and between the author and their work.

Literary Devices and Techniques

Literary devices and techniques include:

First-person narration: The essay is written in the first person, allowing Borges to reflect on his life and work from a personal perspective.
Metafiction: Borges uses metafiction to blur the lines between reality and fiction, exploring the relationship between the author and their work.
Paradox: Borges uses paradox to challenge the reader's understanding of reality and to reflect on the complex relationship between the author and their work.
Irony: Borges uses irony to explore the themes of the essay and to comment on the relationship between the author and their work.
Allusion: Borges references other writers and works of literature throughout the essay, reflecting on the role of literature and art in shaping the author and their work.
Stream of consciousness: The essay has a stream-of-consciousness style, allowing Borges to reflect on his thoughts and experiences in a free-flowing manner.
Symbolism: Borges uses symbols, such as the character of Borges, to represent deeper themes and ideas in the essay.

Analysis of Key Passages

"Borges y Yo" is a short story by Jorge Luis Borges that explores the relationship between the author and his fictional alter ego. Here are some key passages and their analysis:

"Al otro, a Borges, es a quien le ocurren las cosas." This passage introduces the theme of the relationship between reality and fiction. Borges blurs the lines between himself and his alter ego, suggesting that they are both real and not real at the same time.
"Me gustan los relojes de arena, los mapas, la tipografía del siglo XVII, las etimologías, el sabor del café y la prosa de Stevenson; el otro comparte esas preferencias, pero de un modo vanidoso que las convierte en atributos de un actor." This passage underscores the idea that Borges is a product of his own imagination and that he has become something other than what he originally intended. The distinction between reality and fiction is further blurred.
"No sé cuál de los dos escribe esta página." This passage raises the question of who is really in control of the story, Borges or his alter ego. The narrative becomes self-referential, blurring the boundaries between author, narrator, and character.

In conclusion, "Borges y Yo" is a complex and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between reality and fiction. Borges questions the idea of a stable identity, suggesting that it is a construct of the imagination and that the distinction between reality and fiction is not as clear cut as it may seem.

Impacts of the Text

Here are a few impacts of the text:

Reinforcement of Borges' literary reputation: Borges is widely considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, and "Borges y Yo" helped cement his reputation as a master of literary experimentation and genre-defying work.
Influence on magic realism: Borges is often credited with helping to popularize the magic realism literary movement, and "Borges y Yo" is a prime example of his blending of elements of reality and fantasy.
Exploration of the relationship between reality and fiction: The story challenges the notion of a stable identity and the distinction between reality and fiction, making it an important text in the postmodern literary tradition.
Inspiration for other writers: Borges' innovative style and genre-defying work has inspired countless writers and artists, and "Borges y Yo" is one of his most frequently cited and imitated works.
Study of the role of the author: The story raises questions about the role of the author and the relationship between the author, narrator, and characters, making it a valuable text for literary analysis and criticism.

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