The Quest for God in the Work of Borges (Continuum Literary Studies)

This book argues that the quest for God, though largely unheeded by the critical canon, was a major and enduring preoccupation for Borges. This is shown through careful analysis both of his essays, with their emphasis on his philosophical-theological explorations, and of the narrative articulations which are his stories. It is in the poetry of his middle and closing years, however, that Borges' search is most manifest, as it is no longer obscured. Spanning different periods of his life, and different literary genres, Borges' work attests to a maturing and evolving quest. The book reveals Borges' engagement as an active and evolving process and its chronological structure allows the reader to trace his thought over time.Ã#x82;Â Flynn shows that the spiritual component in Borges' writing drives key texts from the 1920s to the 1980s.Ã#x82;Â Offering an interpretation that unlocks a fuller significance of his work, she shows how Borges' reflections on time and identity are symptomatic of a deeper, spiritual searching which can only be answered by a Divine Absolute This Title Argues That The Quest For God, Though Largely Unheeded By The Critical Canon, Was A Major And Enduring Preoccupation For Borges. Pt. 1. Preludes To Mysticism -- 1922-1925 : The Nothingness Of Self And God -- 1928-1934 : Time, Paradox And Heresy -- 1936-1953 : Entries Into Spirituality -- Pt. 2. From Essay To Ficción -- Writing And New Direction -- Beyond The Mirror Of Self -- Pt. 3. The Long Quest -- Bridging The Divide : Self And Divinity -- Towards Relationship. Annette U. Flynn. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Content: Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Part One: Preludes to Mysticism 1. 1922-1925: The Nothingness of Self and God 2. 1928-1934: Time, Paradox and Heresy 3. 1936-1953: Entries into Spirituality Part Two: From Essay to Ficción 4. Writing and New Direction 5. Beyond the Mirror of Self Part Three: The Long Quest 6. Bridging the Divide: Self and Divinity 7. Towards Relationship Conclusion Appendix Notes Bibliography Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z Highlights the spiritual element in Borges' work. This book offers an insightful and scholarly interpretation of a fundamental facet of his writing. It argues that the quest for God, though largely unheeded by the critical canon, was a major and enduring preoccupation for Borges.