The Immortals by Jorge Luis Borges
The narrative revolves around a group of immortal beings who are aware of their own immortality and the fleeting nature of human existence. They live among humans, observing and influencing events from behind the scenes. The story explores themes of mortality, free will, and the consequences of playing god.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1953 · Genre: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Satire · 2,219 words
First lines
And see, no longer blinded by our eyes.
What this Textopian page supports
The Immortals is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1953 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: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Satire, Horror, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,219 words
- Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Immortals by Jorge Luis Borges
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Immortals?
- How does this short story by Jorge Luis Borges fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Congress by Jorge Luis Borges
- Afterword by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Sect Of The Phoenix by Jorge Luis Borges
- There Are More Things by Jorge Luis Borges
- Legend by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Duration Of Hell by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores futuristic themes such as immortality through surgical and technological advancements, reflecting speculative elements typical of science fiction.
- Philosophical Fiction — The story delves into philosophical questions about the nature of reality, perception, and the human condition, which are central to philosophical fiction.
- Satire — The work employs irony and exaggeration to critique societal and scientific pursuits of immortality, characteristic of satirical writing.
- Horror — The depiction of human transformation into mechanical entities and the eerie atmosphere contribute to a sense of horror.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Metaphysical Themes · Existentialism · Time Travel · Paradoxes · Infinity · Cycles of Time · Eternal Return · Mythology · Symbolism · Allegory · Speculative Fiction