Theme of the Traitor and the Hero
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| "Theme of the Traitor and the Hero" | |
| Author | Jorge Luis Borges |
|---|---|
| Original title | "Tema del traidor y del héroe" |
| Country | Argentina  |
| Language | Spanish |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy, short story |
| Published in | Artifices |
| Media type | |
| Publication date | 1944 |
"Theme of the Traitor and the Hero" (original Spanish title: "Tema del traidor y del héroe") is a short story by Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges originally published in 1944 in number 112 of the review Sur.
[edit] Plot summary
The story begins with the narrator discussing an idea he has had for a story. Almost immediately he begins to fill in the details. The rest of the story is taken up with the narrator's description. A researcher is writing a book on a revolutionary hero called Fergus Kilpatrik, about a century after his assassination. It is the story of some Irish rebels, one of whom (Kilpatrik) has confessed to betraying their movement. After confessing, "he and his cabal decided that he should die a hero, a martyr, thus redeeming his traitorous act by furnishing Ireland with a shining example of heroism." Taking ideas from Shakespeare, and using the entire town as a stage, Kilpatrik plays the role of a hero and sacrifices himself "in order to preserve his heroic image and the peoples' passion for the cause." The researcher realises the truth but, in order not to spoil the illusion, publishes a book glorifying Kilpatrik, himself ultimately playing a role in the story.
[edit] References
- Borges, Jorge Luis. Theme of the Traitor and the Hero.
- Pugh, Adam. Order Versus Chaos: Comparing the literary essences of Isaac Asimov and Jorge Luis Borges. Retrieved on 2007-08-15.
- B. Ruch, Allen. Borges - Film: The Spider's Strategy. Retrieved on 2007-08-15.
