The Mandrake by Jorge Luis Borges

Name: The Mandrake
Author: Jorge Luis Borges

The story revolves around a man who discovers that he has been living his life according to the script of another person's novel. He becomes obsessed with uncovering the identity of this other person and the purpose behind their creation of him. The narrative blurs the lines between reality and fiction, raising questions about the nature of existence and free will.

By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1954 · Genre: Mythology, Folklore, History · 738 words

First lines

Like the barometz, the plant known as the Mandrake borders on the animal kingdom, since it gives a cry when it is torn up; this cry can drive those who hear it mad. We read in Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet, IV, iii):

And shrieks like mandrakes torn out of the earth, That living mortals, hearing them, run mad . . .

What this Textopian page supports

The Mandrake is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1954 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: 1954 CE
Language: English
Genres: Mythology, Folklore, History, Literary Criticism, Botany
Length: 738 words
Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Mandrake 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 Mandrake?
How does this short story by Jorge Luis Borges fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Mythology first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Mythology — The text explores various myths and legends surrounding the Mandrake, including its anthropomorphic qualities and magical properties.
Folklore — The narrative delves into folklore traditions, such as the Mandrake's cry and its association with gallows, reflecting cultural beliefs.
History — Historical references are made to figures like Pythagoras, Pliny, and Josephus, providing a historical context to the Mandrake's lore.
Literary Criticism — The text references literary works, such as Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', to illustrate the Mandrake's influence in literature.