Latin American Magic Realism Stories Purposefully Written to Confuse Holy Hell Out of You
Author's Sole and Only Purpose
A student enrolled in Swarthmore College's LITR 042S. "Borges: Aesthetics and Theory" course has come to the realization that the author purposefully wrote short stories to do nothing more than confuse the reader.
While the course promised to elucidate his profound impact on modern literature and prove that he was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century, the class has done nothing more than create one more hater of literature and personal enemy of the Argentine author.
The class has done nothing more than create one more hater of literature and personal enemy of the Argentine author.
The collection of Latin American short stories by Jorge Luis Borges was handpicked by Borges "stan," Professor Martinez. Professor Martinez claims he even chose the most accessible ones for global readers, from "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius" to "The Sect of the Phoenix."
College sophomore Kailey Johnston started to get into "The Garden of Forking Paths" and "Funes the Memorious" since those have straightforward protagonists with clear, structured objectives within the story. She noticed, however, that her attention started to drift when the author began to add his "magical elements," blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
She wondered if her confusion was more a cultural thing, but she's really into Guillermo Del Toro movies, so she understands "the concept."
Of course she could understand why Borges might be so popular, and yes, she could understand his rich use of symbolism and allegory. The ones about the nature of reality and dreams she could get a handle on, but the ones with the trademark Borgesian ideas, like the reality of perception and the paradoxical nature of the world, she would need some help.
She finally met with her professor to voice her frustration about the reading syllabus.
"Okay, "The Sect of the Phoenix" isn't even really a story. but just an extended riddle," she sighed. "However, no answer to the riddle is even given."
"It's just like one big trick," she said.
Professor Martinez started to glow, beaming with a bright, other-worldly joy. He spoke quietly: "Si, si, si...."
Wait, she was onto something?
"And the thing with "Tion, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius" (I don't know if I'm saying that right) is that the point of the story is that nothing exists except one's mind and the perception of ideas...that means my confusion is the overall point of the story?"
Professor Martinez slowly stood and approached a small table where a pitcher of water and glasses sat. He gravely poured himself a small amount of liquid, and took a slow sip.
He seemed refreshed, yet agitated. He became consumed with the beverage, which started to take a different shape.
"My dear Maria..." began the Professor.
"Um, it's Kailey."
"What you have just said is the most profound and interesting thought I have ever heard about that story..." he trailed. He glanced up at the portrait of Borges looking down upon him. He knew his time was up.
"I am no longer fit to teach this class, and I will hand in my resignation first thing tomorrow." He began to disrobe. Before long he was shirtless, wearing nothing more than his underwear and his glasses.
"Um, professor..."
"This course is no longer mine, for now it is yours."
He approached the doorway and gave one final look to his office and then the portrait of Borges again.
He quoted the author before he was devoured by a tiger, never to be heard from again.
Toda vida se compone de un solo momento, el momento en que un hombre descubre, de una vez por todas, quién es.
"Any life is made up of a single moment, the moment in which a man finds out, once and for all, who he is."
The tiger slowly walked out and close the door behind him. Johnston was unsure of what to do next, but she asked out loud hoping Martinez could still hear her:
"So, am I going to pass the class then?"