The Gnomes by Jorge Luis Borges
This work is a collection of short stories that explore the intersection of fantasy and philosophical inquiry. The tales are set in a world where gnomes inhabit a realm parallel to our own, and they serve as a metaphor for human existence. The stories examine themes such as identity, morality, and the nature of reality.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1975 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Folklore · 128 words
First lines
The Gnomes are older than their name, which is Greek but which was unknown to the ancients, since it dates from the sixteenth century, Etymologists attribute it to the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus in whose writings it appears for the first time.
They are sprites of the earth and hills. Popular imagination pictures them as bearded dwarfs of rough and grotesque features; they wear tight-fitting brown clothes with monastic hoods. Like the griffons of Greece and of the East and the dragons of Germanic lore, the Gnomes watch over hidden treasure.
Gnosis, in Greek, means knowledge; and Paracelsus may have called them Gnomes because they know the exact places where precious metals are to be found.
What this Textopian page supports
The Gnomes is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1975 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: 1975 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Folklore, Historical
- Length: 128 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gnomes by Jorge Luis Borges
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Gnomes?
- How does this short story by Jorge Luis Borges fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Ass With Three Legs by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Sayings Of Slid by Lord Dunsany
- The Brownies by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Moons Funeral by Hilaire Belloc
- What We Have Come To by Lord Dunsany
- The Sayings Of Limpang Tung by Lord Dunsany
Genres
- Fantasy — The text describes mythical creatures, the Gnomes, and their characteristics, aligning with fantasy elements.
- Mythology — The narrative draws on mythological themes, referencing creatures like griffons and dragons, and their role in guarding treasures.
- Folklore — The depiction of Gnomes as earth sprites with specific attire and roles is rooted in folklore traditions.
- Historical — The text references historical figures and etymology, such as Paracelsus and the origin of the term 'Gnomes'.
Tags
Fantasy · Satire · Philosophy · Literary Fiction · Short Stories · Absurdism · Humor · Social Commentary · Critique of Society · Mythology · Folklore · Symbolism