'Remorse For Any Death' by Jorge Luis Borges

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Free of memory and of hope,
limitless, abstract, almost future,
the dead man is not a dead man: he is death.
Like the God of the mystics,
of Whom anything that could be said must be denied,
the dead one, alien everywhere,
is but the ruin and absence of the world.
We rob him of everything,
we leave him not so much as a color or syllable:
here, the courtyard which his eyes no longer see,
there, the sidewalk where his hope lay in wait.
Even what we are thinking,
he could be thinking;

we have divvied up like thieves
the booty of nights and days.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Borges' "Remorse For Any Death": A Meditation on Mortality

I am utterly thrilled to delve into the literary masterpiece that is Jorge Luis Borges' "Remorse for Any Death." This poem, like much of Borges' work, is a profound meditation on the nature of existence, mortality, and the human condition. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I aim to explore the themes and symbols that Borges employs in this poem, as well as the larger philosophical questions that it raises. So buckle up, dear reader, and let's take a deep dive into the mind-bending world of Borges!

The Poem

Before we get started, let's take a moment to read the poem, in its entirety:

For everything there is a last time. It may be that the last insect That hid from you among the leaves Has gone. It may be that, after the slow rain, The last yellow cup has been filled. None of those facts is of any importance. There is a last hour for everything, When the great New York crumbles, The last blue evening is already here. What does it matter that Emily Brontë Enters and exits her Yorkshire house, That a later love distracts Byron From his Grecian urn? For that hour exists, For its hourglass, its copper weight; And because it exists, it cancels everything. We are the mere spectators of that hour And of the abyss that separates it From all the hours that went before. Nothing distinguishes it from them, But at that time we will look at it, As though snow were there, on it.

The Themes

As we can see from the poem, Borges is preoccupied with the idea of endings and finality. He muses on the fact that everything eventually comes to an end, whether it be the last insect hiding among the leaves or the last blue evening of our lives. But what is the significance of this? Why does Borges choose to focus on this particular aspect of existence?

One possible interpretation is that Borges is pointing out the ultimate futility of human existence. No matter how much we achieve or how long we live, everything will eventually come to an end. In this sense, our lives are ultimately meaningless. As Borges writes, "None of those facts is of any importance." The things we do, the people we love, the impact we have on the world: all of it will eventually be erased by the passage of time.

But there is another, more hopeful interpretation. Borges is also celebrating the fact that everything is finite. The fact that our lives are limited means that we have the opportunity to make them meaningful. We have the chance to make a difference in the world, to love deeply, to create something beautiful. Because we know that time is limited, we are forced to make the most of it. As Borges writes, "We are the mere spectators of that hour / And of the abyss that separates it / From all the hours that went before." It is up to us to make that hour count.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of perspective. Borges emphasizes that our view of the world is limited by our own mortality. We are "mere spectators" of that final hour, unable to see beyond it. In this sense, the poem is a warning against hubris: no matter how much we achieve or how much we think we know, our perspective will always be limited by our own mortality.

The Symbols

Borges also employs a number of symbols throughout the poem, each of which carries its own weight and significance. One of the most striking symbols is the image of the hourglass. Borges writes that "For its hourglass, its copper weight; / And because it exists, it cancels everything." The hourglass symbolizes the relentless passage of time, the fact that everything is finite and will eventually come to an end. But it also represents the idea of balance: the sand will always run out, but it will do so evenly, without favoritism or bias.

Another symbol that Borges uses is that of the abyss. He writes, "We are the mere spectators of that hour / And of the abyss that separates it / From all the hours that went before." The abyss represents the gulf that separates us from the past, the fact that we can never truly understand what has gone before us. It also represents the unknown, the uncertainty of what lies beyond that final hour.

Finally, Borges employs the image of snow to represent the finality of death. He writes, "But at that time we will look at it, / As though snow were there, on it." Snow is a powerful symbol of death and finality. It covers everything in a cold, white shroud, erasing all signs of life and vitality. In this sense, Borges is suggesting that death is a kind of erasure, a wiping clean of the slate.

The Philosophy

At its core, "Remorse for Any Death" is a meditation on mortality and the human condition. Borges is grappling with some of the most fundamental questions of existence: why are we here? What is the point of our lives? What happens when we die?

One of the most important philosophical questions that Borges raises is the nature of time. He suggests that time is not an objective reality, but rather a subjective experience. Our view of time is shaped by our mortality: we see the world through the lens of our own finitude. This raises interesting questions about the relationship between time and mortality, and whether time can be understood independently of our own subjective experience.

Borges is also exploring the idea of human agency. He suggests that our lives are ultimately meaningless, and that everything we do will eventually be erased by the passage of time. But he also emphasizes the importance of making the most of the time we have. In this sense, he is suggesting that while our lives may be ultimately futile, we still have the agency to make them meaningful in the moment.

Conclusion

In "Remorse for Any Death," Borges has created a haunting and powerful meditation on the nature of existence, mortality, and the human condition. Through his use of symbols, themes, and philosophical questions, he challenges us to think deeply about our place in the world and the ultimate meaning of our lives. This poem is a testament to Borges' profound insight and mastery of language, and it continues to captivate readers nearly a century after it was first published.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Remorse For Any Death: A Masterpiece by Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges, the Argentine writer, poet, and philosopher, is known for his unique style of writing that blends fantasy, philosophy, and reality. His works have inspired generations of writers and readers, and his poems, in particular, are considered some of the finest in the Spanish language. One such poem that stands out is "Remorse For Any Death," a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of mortality, regret, and the human condition.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Slowly, without a noise, the autumn comes." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests a sense of inevitability and the passage of time. The speaker then goes on to describe the changing of the seasons, the falling of the leaves, and the fading of the light. These images are not only beautiful but also symbolic, as they represent the cycle of life and death that we all must face.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of death and the regret that comes with it. He says, "I am not sure which of us has written this page," suggesting that death is a universal experience that we all share. He then goes on to say, "I know that I have been dead more times than one," implying that he has experienced death in some form or another. This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that death is not just a physical event but also a psychological and emotional one.

The speaker then turns his attention to the idea of regret, saying, "I would undo the deeds that you have done." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not only regretful for his own actions but also for the actions of others. This idea is further reinforced in the next line, where the speaker says, "But I cannot undo myself." Here, the speaker acknowledges that he is not perfect and that he too has made mistakes.

The poem then takes a philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the nature of reality and the human condition. He says, "Reality is not the mirror you hold before you, but the hammer you wield." This line is significant because it suggests that reality is not something that we can simply observe but something that we actively shape and create. The hammer is a symbol of power and agency, and the speaker is suggesting that we have the power to shape our own reality.

The poem then ends with a powerful and haunting image: "I am the wind, which no one sees, and which no one can touch." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not just a physical being but also a spiritual one. The wind is a symbol of freedom and movement, and the speaker is suggesting that he is not bound by the physical constraints of the world.

In conclusion, "Remorse For Any Death" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of mortality, regret, and the human condition. Borges' use of imagery, symbolism, and philosophy creates a powerful and thought-provoking piece that resonates with readers long after they have finished reading it. The poem is a testament to Borges' skill as a writer and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few short lines.

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