The Man on the Threshold
A man stands at a threshold, hesitating between two rooms. One room contains his wife, who has been ill and is now recovering. The other room contains a woman he had an affair with before meeting his wife. He must choose which room to enter, but the choice will have consequences for his life.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1942 · Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Crime · 2,348 words
First lines
Bioy-Casares brought back with him from London a strange dagger with a triangular blade and a hilt in the shape of an H; a friend of ours, Christopher Dewey of the British Council, told us that such weapons were commonly used in India. This statement prompted him to mention that he had held a job in that country between the two wars. ("Ultra Auroram et Gangen," I recall his saying in Latin, misquoting a line from Juvenal.) Of the stories he entertained us with that night, I venture to set down the one that follows. My account will be faithful; may Allah deliver me from the temptation of adding any circumstantial details or of weighing down the tale's Oriental character with interpolations from Kipling. It should be remarked that the story has a certain ancient simplicity that it would be a pity to lose-something perhaps straight out of the Arabian Nights.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man on the Threshold is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1942 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: 1942 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Crime, Philosophical, Literary Fiction
- Length: 2,348 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man on the Threshold 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 The Man on the Threshold?
- How does this short story by Jorge Luis Borges fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Ibn Hakkan Al Bokhari Dead In His Labyrinth by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Maker by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Intruder by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Unworthy Friend by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Chamber Of Statues by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Form Of The Sword by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Mystery — The narrative revolves around the disappearance of a judge and the investigation into his fate, creating a central mystery.
- Historical Fiction — The story is set in a historical context, referencing colonial India and historical figures, blending fiction with historical elements.
- Crime — The plot involves criminal activities, including the kidnapping and murder of a judge, and the subsequent trial.
- Philosophical — The narrative explores themes of justice, morality, and the nature of truth, prompting philosophical reflection.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Short Story Collection · Existentialism · Metaphysics · Time Travel · Paradox · Reality Distortion · Speculative Fiction · Literary Experimentation · Symbolism · Mystery · Psychological Insight