''The providential apotheosis of his industry'': Display of causal systems in Borges

Abstract

Para un criterio cotidiano, el azar interviene increíblemente en esta novela. En su decurso hay demasiadas coincidencias “providenciales.” Con igual justicia, un literato puede reprochar a la obra su desanimada (y desanimadora) falta de azar. Abundan las “sorpresas,” pero todas ellas son previsibles, y, lo que es peor, fatales. Para el hombre avezado, o resignado, a este género de ficciones, lo verdaderamente sorprendente sería que no sucediera. . . . (1986, 266)

For a daily criterion, chance intervenes incredibly in this novel. During its course, there are too many “providential” coincidences. With equal justice, a man of letters can reproach the work for its discouraged (and discouraging)lack of chance. “Surprises” are abundant, but all of them are predictable and, what is worst, fatal. For someone who has experience in, or is resigned to, this genre of fictions, what would be truly surprising would be that it did not happen. . . .