Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote

Intertextuality is an important component of “Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote.” How does Borges use references to outside texts to convey deeper meanings about literature analysis?

Consider the form of the story, as a piece of literary criticism. Why did Borges choose to write the story using this form, rather than a more “traditional” narrative? What sort of benefits and drawbacks does this approach produce?

How might the social, political, and historical context of the early 20th century contribute to Menard’s decision to pursue this absurd project? What might this reveal about the relationship between authorship and interpretation?

“Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote” frequently demonstrates various paradoxes in how work is analyzed and how art is created. How do the paradoxes inform and deepen our understanding of the creative process?

How does Borges parody the conventions and expectations of literary criticism? What do this parodic approach and the critic’s specific references suggest about the limitations of critical approaches to literature?

Throughout the text, the critic challenges views on Menard that he considers to be erroneous or a misreading of his intentions. How does this perspective illuminate and undercut the concept of a fixed, authoritative version of a text?

How does Menard’s futile project challenge and/or reinforce our notions of the boundaries between reality and fiction? If Menard had completed his work, would this change the text’s understanding of that relationship?

Discuss the role of irony and humor in the story. How do these elements contribute to the story’s exploration of critical analysis, interpretation, and meaning?