« previous next »

Author Question: What is the background of the Gutre family? How did they come to ownan English Bible? Why is it ... (Read 153 times)

justinmsk

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 524
on: Jul 20, 2018
What is the background of the Gutre family? How did they come to ownan English Bible? Why is it ironic that they own this book?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How old is Espinosa? What is ironic about his age?
 
  What will be an ideal response?


kalskdjl1212

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 353
Reply #1 on: Jul 20, 2018
Answer to Question 1


  • Like America, Argentina is a country populated largely by immigrants. (Borges himself was a mixture of English, Italian, Jewish, Uruguayan, and Argentinean stock.) The Gutre family are the descendants of Scottish immigrants, but they have lived on the Argentinean pampas so long that they have forgotten not only their English but even their ancestry. Their name is a corruption of the name Guthrie. Significantly, Borges links their Scottish ancestry to Calvinism, with its belief in absolute predestination. (In retrospect, Espinosas sacrificial death seems fated.) The irony of their owning an English Bible is multiple: they cannot read; they know no English; they are seemingly ignorant of Christianity; they have forgotten their Scottish roots. However, there is, of course, a deeper irony. Although they have forgotten everything else, the Gutres have unconsciously maintained a Calvinistic sensibility that leads them to interpret the Gospel with absolute literalism.



Answer to Question 2


  • Espinosa is thirty-three, the age at which Jesus is traditionally thought to have been crucified.



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
« previous next »
 

Did you know?

Eat fiber! A diet high in fiber can help lower cholesterol levels by as much as 10%.

Did you know?

In ancient Rome, many of the richer people in the population had lead-induced gout. The reason for this is unclear. Lead poisoning has also been linked to madness.

Did you know?

Approximately one in four people diagnosed with diabetes will develop foot problems. Of these, about one-third will require lower extremity amputation.

Did you know?

One way to reduce acid reflux is to lose two or three pounds. Most people lose weight in the belly area first when they increase exercise, meaning that heartburn can be reduced quickly by this method.

Did you know?

Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. About 10% of Americans older than age 40 years have diverticulosis, which, when the pouches become infected or inflamed, is called diverticulitis. The main cause of diverticular disease is a low-fiber diet.

Environmental influences on the expression of PKU within a single family Environmental influences on the expression of PKU within a single family
Various members of the Sciuridae family Various members of the Sciuridae family
Neopetalia punctata is a dragonfly, the only member of the family Neopetaliidae. It is endemic to Ar Neopetalia punctata is a dragonfly, the only member of the family Neopetaliidae. It is endemic to Ar
Factors that contribute to the growth of family members. Factors that contribute to the growth of family members.
The Bush Family The Bush Family
Apple's Family Apple's Family
Video: Medullary osmotic gradient - influencing factors

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library