Abstract
The role of infinity as an antagonist in Jorge Luis Borges's oeuvre is undeniable. His stories in El jardiÂn de senderos que se bifurcan (1941), Ficciones (1944), and El Aleph (1949) exhibit Borges's tendency to evoke dreams, labyrinths, mirrors, and libraries as both conduits for infinity and sources of conflict. Oftentimes, Borges's characters experience discomfort upon encountering the limitations of secular temporal succession. This discomfort is rooted in Borges's pessimism about the subject which is explored in Borges's most comprehensive essay on the issue of time: "A New Refutation of Time." Consequently, this thesis considers Borges's attitude towards the issue of time as postulated in "A New Refutation of Time" and exhibited in his early fiction, continues to acknowledge infinity as a fundamental conflict in Borges's work, and proceeds to search for a solution to this conflict. The analysis in this thesis relies heavily on a comparative study of the themes and symbols in Borges's fiction in order to establish a pattern wherein infinity is portrayed negatively. More importantly, the use of interviews, biographies, and Borges's own fiction, facilitates the construction of cohesive conception of time in his work. Subsequently, this study looks to establish a solution to the problem of infinity and establish a new pattern wherein there is a positive resolution to the narrative. Ultimately, the goal of this thesis is to acknowledge the problem of infinity in Borges's work and then propose a way to escape it.
Notes
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Thesis Completion
2012
Semester
Spring
Advisor
Milanes, Cecilia Rodriguez
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Arts and Humanities
Department
English
Degree Program
English Literature
Subjects
Arts and Humanities -- Dissertations, Academic;Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Humanities
Format
Identifier
CFH0004237
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Document Type
Honors in the Major Thesis
Recommended Citation
Santis, Esteban, "Towards the finite a case against infinity in Jorge Luis Borges" (2012). HIM 1990-2015. 1300.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1300