The influential Argentine writer was born with congenital glaucoma, which left him nearly blind in his right eye and severely impaired his vision in his left eye. This condition would have a profound impact on his life and work.
Borges began writing at a young age and published his first book of poems in 1923. He went on to write dozens of short stories, essays, and poems. He was also a translator who translated works from English, French, German, and other languages into Spanish. Being a scholar of literature and philosophy, his work is often influenced by these fields.
EN: Magical realism is a defining feature of your works, blending fantastical elements with reality. How did you come to embrace this literary style, and what do you believe it adds to your stories?
Jorge Luis Borges: I appreciate the question. Magical realism, for me, was a natural way to explore the blurred boundaries between reality and imagination. Growing up in a multicultural environment and being exposed to various myths, legends, and philosophies, I realized that the extraordinary can exist within the ordinary. This realization led me to embrace magical realism as a means of capturing the inexplicable beauty and complexity of existence.
Magical realism allows me to express the ineffable aspects of human experience that often elude rational explanation. By seamlessly integrating magical elements into everyday settings, I aim to create a sense of wonder and provoke contemplation. This style enables me to explore philosophical questions, challenge preconceived notions, and reflect on the mysteries of existence in a way that straightforward realism might not allow.
In my view, magical realism enriches my stories by infusing them with a sense of enchantment and inviting readers to question reality's limitations. It encourages us to perceive the world from different angles, to question the boundaries between what we consider real and what we deem fantastical. This fusion of the ordinary and the extraordinary underscores the idea that life itself is a tapestry of paradoxes and that reality can be much more than meets the eye. Through magical realism, I strive to celebrate the complexity of human experience and offer readers a lens through which they can appreciate the enigmatic beauty of the world.
EN: Many of your works draw from diverse cultures and traditions. How do you approach incorporating these elements into your stories, and what role do they play in creating a global literary tapestry?
JLB: Incorporating diverse cultures and traditions into my stories has always been a deliberate and enriching process. I believe that literature has the power to transcend borders and connect people by highlighting our shared human experiences and the multiplicity of perspectives that exist around the world.
When I explore different cultures and traditions, my approach is one of respect and curiosity. I approach these elements not as mere ornaments, but as windows into the profound variations of human thought, belief, and expression. I delve into myths, folklore, and histories to uncover universal themes that resonate across cultures, such as love, loss, identity, and the pursuit of meaning.
By incorporating these diverse elements, I aim to weave a global literary tapestry that reflects the richness and complexity of human existence. This tapestry serves to challenge narrow perspectives and promote understanding among people from different backgrounds. In doing so, I hope to remind readers that, despite our apparent differences, there are underlying threads that connect us all.
Ultimately, the incorporation of diverse cultures and traditions adds depth and universality to my stories. It offers readers the opportunity to explore the world through different lenses, fostering empathy and expanding their horizons. It is my hope that my work contributes to a broader understanding of the human experience, transcending cultural boundaries and fostering a sense of unity amidst our diverse tapestry of life.
EN: Your writing often explores the labyrinthine nature of human existence. Could you share how this theme reflects your personal philosophy and why it resonates so deeply with your readers?
JLB: The exploration of the labyrinthine nature of human existence has been a central theme in my writing, reflecting both my personal philosophy and my fascination with the intricate layers of reality. To me, life itself often feels like a labyrinth, a complex network of paths that lead to unexpected revelations, dead ends, and profound insights.
Our understanding of reality is often limited by our perspectives and perceptions. We navigate the labyrinth of existence, seeking knowledge, meaning, and connection, yet often finding ourselves confronted with mysteries and paradoxes that challenge our comprehension. Through my stories, I seek to capture the essence of this journey, the perpetual search for understanding in a world that seems both ordered and chaotic.
Using the labyrinth as a metaphor for the enigma of existence, I hope to provoke introspection and contemplation in my readers, inviting them to ponder the myriad paths we traverse in our quest for knowledge and meaning.
This theme resonates with readers because of its universal relevance. The labyrinth is not confined to any one culture, era, or belief system—it's a concept that transcends boundaries and speaks to our shared experiences as humans.
EN: Do you see the mind itself as a labyrinth?
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| Photo by Maksym Kaharlytskyi on Unsplash |
Like the labyrinth of existence that I often explore in my writing, the mind presents us with challenges and mysteries. It invites us to navigate the corridors of memory, to seek understanding in the maze of our emotions, and to venture into the depths of our imagination. Just as the traveler within a labyrinth confronts uncertainty and the unknown, so too does the thinker grapple with the complexities of their own mental landscape.
Yet, within the labyrinth of the mind, there is also the potential for revelation and insight. Just as explorers of physical labyrinths may discover hidden truths, those who journey through the labyrinth of their thoughts can unearth profound understandings of themselves and the world around them. The mind's labyrinth is a place of creativity, where the paths we tread can lead to new ideas, connections, and revelations.
The idea of the mind as a labyrinth resonates deeply with me because it mirrors the themes I've explored in my writing—our quest for knowledge, the tension between order and chaos, and the simultaneous beauty and complexity of existence. By recognizing the mind as a labyrinth, we embrace the endless potential for exploration and discovery within ourselves. This concept continues to inspire and influence my work, as I strive to capture the essence of both the inner and outer labyrinths that shape our understanding of reality.
EN: Your influence on literature extends far beyond your native Argentina. In fact, I consider a number of my own stories to be inspired by your work, especially those in my book Unremembered Histories. How does it feel to have your ideas and techniques shape the work of writers from various cultures?
JLB: To witness my ideas and techniques resonating with writers from diverse cultures is a profound and humbling experience. Literature, as an art form, transcends borders and languages, uniting minds through the exploration of universal themes and human experiences. Knowing that my work has contributed to this global dialogue is a testament to the power of storytelling and the interconnectedness of human thought.
EN: One last question. As a writer who's navigated blindness, how has this condition influenced your creative process and your perception of imagination and reality?
Blindness, in a sense, became a metaphorical labyrinth within which I had to navigate. As my visual world diminished, my reliance on imagination and memory grew stronger. The boundaries between the external and internal worlds began to blur, and I realized that perception is not confined to the physical senses alone. This realization profoundly impacted my writing, as I sought to convey the intricate interplay between what is seen and what is imagined.
In this new realm of limited sight, I discovered a heightened awareness of language itself. Words became my palette, allowing me to paint vibrant landscapes of thought and emotion. Imagination became my guide, enabling me to explore realms beyond the confines of the visible world. The act of storytelling became a way to bridge the gap between the tangible and the intangible, between the known and the unknowable.
Blindness compelled me to reexamine the nature of reality. I came to understand that reality is a subjective construct, shaped by individual perceptions and interpretations. This insight allowed me to embrace the idea that reality is malleable, that it can be reshaped and reimagined through the creative act. I found that the limitations of sight were not limitations of vision—they were invitations to delve deeper into the recesses of the mind.
Blindness, paradoxically, illuminated the vastness of the inner world, inspiring me to navigate the labyrinth of imagination with renewed vigor and a profound sense of wonder.
Related Links
The concept for this interview was first explored in my imaginary interview with John S. Hall, the Blind Poet of Ritchie County.
Here are some other Borges links.
Jorge Luis Borges: An Introduction
Tribute to Borges' Garden of Forking Paths
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