24 pages 48 minutes read

Jorge Luis Borges

Borges and I

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1960

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Background

Authorial Context: Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on August 24, 1899. Borges hailed from a prominent Argentine family that traced their lineage to British ancestors. He acquired proficiency in English before mastering Spanish. His deep-rooted connection with literature began at a young age, as he delved into the books from his father’s library. It was then that he decided to pursue a career in literature as he grew older. In 1914, Borges embarked on a journey to Geneva, where he achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College de Genève.

Further travels took him to Mallorca and mainland Spain, where he became part of the Ultraist movement. Eventually, in 1921, he returned to Buenos Aires. This homecoming ignited a transformation in Borges as he discovered a new perspective on his city’s beauty. This newfound vision inspired him to create poetry that celebrated Buenos Aires, culminating in his inaugural publication, a volume of poems titled Fervor de Buenos Aires in 1923.

He went on to publish numerous volumes of poems and essays, and even ventured into biography, penning Evaristo Carriego in 1930. His literary journey was marked by a relentless commitment to his craft and a passion for exploring the depths of human experience through his work.