A Bao a Qu by Jorge Luis Borges
The story revolves around a Chinese encyclopedia that contains an entry for the word "Bao A Qu", which refers to a type of bird. The narrator becomes obsessed with finding out more about this bird and its significance in Chinese culture, but his search leads him down a rabbit hole of absurdity and confusion. As he delves deeper into the subject, he discovers that the encyclopedia contains contradictory information about the bird's characteristics, habits, and even its existence. He also encounters various individuals who claim to be experts on the subject, but their knowledge is incomplete or inaccurate. The narrator's quest for truth becomes a futile exercise in futility, as he realizes that the encyclopedia is a product of human imagination and not a reliable source of information. The story ultimately raises questions about the nature of reality, language, and the limits of human knowledge.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1940 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction · 462 words
First lines
If you want to look out over the loveliest landscape in the world, you must climb to the top of the Tower of Victory in Chitor. There, standing on a circular terrace, one has a sweep of the whole horizon. A winding stairway gives access to this terrace, but only those who do not believe in the legend dare climb up. The tale runs:
What this Textopian page supports
A Bao a Qu is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1940 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jorge Luis Borges
- Date: 1940 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Philosophical Fiction, Metafiction, Short Story
- Length: 462 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Bao a Qu by Jorge Luis Borges
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Bao a Qu?
- How does this short story by Jorge Luis Borges fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story involves a mythical creature with supernatural abilities, existing in a legendary setting.
- Mythology — The narrative is structured as a legend, with elements of folklore and mythical storytelling.
- Philosophical Fiction — Themes of human perfection, enlightenment, and existential reflection are central to the narrative.
- Metafiction — The story references a fictional source, blending reality with fiction in its presentation.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Short Story Collection · Literary Experimentation · Metaphysical Themes · Existentialism · Symbolism · Mythology · Fable · Paradox · Time and Space · Reality and Illusion · Dreams and Reality