Luis Ortiz

The ability to memorize everything is an ability that many people would do anything for. In Jorge Borges's short story, “Funes the Memorious”, there is a character named Ireneo Funes who gains this ability after getting crippled from falling off a horse. Funes, after the incident, was able to specify everything in his world. He refused to generalize or group anything. Also, he became incapable to communicate well because of the specificity of his language. Lastly, he also became unable to…

My research centers on Jorge Luis Borges and constructs a web of influences on him and his literary oeuvre through examining his many interviews. Throughout his life, Borges consented to hundreds of interviews. Rather than undertaking exhaustive research, I gathered data from nine of Borges’ most widely available interviews, largely conducted in English and issued in prominent, English-language publications. Some interviewers transcribed the interview content in the moment or from tape…

Within Jorge Luis Borges’s short story collection “The Garden of Forking Paths” are the stories Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius and The Garden of Forking Paths. Within Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius, Borges introduces the question of metaphysical time and reality by recounting the events surrounding the mysterious land of Uqbar and its lore surrounding Tlon- the third orb. On the other hand, The Garden of Forking Paths questions the knowledge of the universe and linear time as current scientific…

Is Great Too Vague? You know that moment when you are doing so well and everything is going great? Then, you turn around and someone asks you, "What are you going to do next?" I'm kind of right there. I'm sure its been many of us, but I couldn't just fix my mouth to say "Hey, that sure is a good question, but I don't know. I just want to be great!" What does 'great' really mean? Does it mean that whatever I do next will fix the water conditions in Flint, Michigan? Does it mean that I will be…

Poetry has typically defied the confines of the period it was written in and ushers in a new era in terms of ideas, politics, art, music, and everyday life. In the Victorian Period, many poets would write about ideas, the current attitudes toward women, and the resisting temptation, from a new viewpoint, which lead to changing thoughts and morals among the masses (Khanna and Landow). Although the word ‘Victorian’ brings to mind conformity, the Victorian Era of poetry is anything but typical…

In a world where technological and scientific advances are realized daily, communication with people around the world is a common occurrence, and knowledge is becoming increasingly accessible, a wider window has opened for the individual to explore, discover, and/or create their ideal self. We see ourselves passing the times of idle wonder and theory of our past philosophers and intellects. The consequence, however, is that knowing yourself, as well as projecting and thereby sharing this self…

increased pressure from the United States and the country’s concern regarding the rising popularity of pro-nazism primarily amongst its German residents, Argentina broke its ties with Germany and pledged its loyalty to the Allies. Argentinian writer, Jorge Luis Borges, had a ripe adoration of German literature, and this passion is what compelled him to attack the Nazi police state in various essays throughout World War II. This contrast between his love of German culture and his criticism of…

In accordance with Virginia’s Woolf’s essay titled “Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Brown,” the idea that human relations changed circa December 1910 is explored. In Woolf’s words “in or about December 1910 human character changed” (Woolf 2). This change, which she asserts was “not sudden and definite,” (Woolf 2) leads the reader to believe it was gradual. The Victorian and Georgian Era are stark in contrast regarding the everyday individual (and said individual’s relationships). Where the Georgian lived a…

Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges was removed from the origin of The Bhagavad-Gita by thousands of years and miles, yet his works bear remarkable similarities to The Gita’s teachings. Specifically, Borges’ short stories, “The Immortal” and “The Library of Babel,” reflect and parallel the teachings of the sacred Hindu text, The Bhagavad-Gita, namely, its assertion that desire creates suffering and inhibits the pursuit of knowledge, and its perspective that divinity and spirituality can be found…

My First Trip to Mexico It was one early December morning around 10 am, I receive a phone call from an unsual number. I didnt really recongnize. I answer the phone curiously wondering who it could be "hello..." in response, I get a answer in Spanish "Hola soy tu abela de Mexico, como andas hijo?" (hello I'm your grandmother from Mexico, how are you son?) I'm feeling shocked I haven't spoke with my grandmother since my 10th birthday, The moment sunk in feeling happy and excited. "Hola…