From the Poniard to the Sword: A Symbolic Reading in the Literature of Jorge Luis Borges

Abstract

This article analyzes the literary motifs represented by cold weapons in Jorge Luis Borges’ The Aleph, Fictions, and Doctor Brodie’s Report, showing that these weapons repeatedly appear in Borges’ work, from his stories of refined atmosphere to his tales of knives, which share an inherent fascination for death in all its often-violent manifestations and convey a whole paradigm of objects, situations, and very particular and recurring motifs in the discourse and as central themes. Thereby, these objects exceed the category of simple first-degree signs, objects present in everyday life, and become second-degree symbols since they exist to fight the monster while also representing it. Cold weapons have an ambiguous (positive or negative) value transmitted to their owner depending on their type and the context. Different weapons characterize specific characters: from the hero, the saint, and the demigod, to the monster embodied in military power and betrayal, but always oriented towards revenge, martyrdom, and sacrifice as dynamic ways of organizing entire paradigms of signs. Understanding this perspective allows readers to notice deeper meanings when rereading these works, providing a broader horizon of understanding.