The Manticore by Jorge Luis Borges
This work is a short story that explores the concept of identity and reality through the lens of a mythical creature known as the Manticore. The narrative follows a protagonist who encounters the Manticore in a dream, leading to a series of philosophical musings on the nature of existence and perception. The story delves into themes of duality, mirroring the Manticore's dual nature as both a fearsome beast and a benevolent creature. This dichotomy serves as a metaphor for the complexities of human identity and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy. Through its exploration of these ideas, the narrative raises questions about the reliability of perception and the instability of truth. The story ultimately concludes with a sense of ambiguity, leaving the reader to ponder the nature of reality and their own place within it.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1954 · Genre: Fantasy, Mythology, Horror · 283 words
First lines
Pliny (VIII, 30) informs us that according to Ctesias, the Greek physician of Artaxerxes Mnemon, among the Ethiopians there is an animal found, which he calls the mantichora; it has a triple row of teeth, which fit into each other like those of a comb, the face and ears of a man, and azure eyes, is of the colour of blood, has the body of the lion, and a tail ending in a sting, like that of the scorpion. Its voice resembles the union of the sound of the flute and the trumpet; it is of excessive swiftness, and is particularly fond of human flesh.
Flaubert has improved upon this description, and in the last pages of The Temptation of Saint Anthony, we read:
What this Textopian page supports
The Manticore 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: Fantasy, Mythology, Horror, Literary Fiction
- Length: 283 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Manticore 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 Manticore?
- 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 Elves by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Basilisk by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Rukh by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Hippogriff by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Trolls by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Griffon by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Fantasy — The description of the manticore, a mythical creature with fantastical attributes, places the work firmly within the fantasy genre.
- Mythology — The reference to Ctesias and the mythical nature of the manticore ties the work to mythological themes.
- Horror — The depiction of the manticore's terrifying features and its fondness for human flesh contribute to a horror atmosphere.
- Literary Fiction — The work's allusions to historical texts and its stylistic prose align with literary fiction.
Tags
Fantasy · Philosophy · Mythology · Symbolism · Metaphysics · Mystery · Fiction · Literary Fiction · Short Story Collection · Speculative Fiction · Paradox · Reality