Symbolism in the “the Book of Sand" by Jorge Luis Borges

“The Book of Sand” is an intriguing story that Jorge Luis Borges has given so many insights in it for the readers to grasp through their imagination and knowledge of symbolism. The story has easily summarizable plot lines and gives the readers vague notions to share its clear message. It is about a man who is obsessed with books. A strange bible salesman gives him a visit and offers an unusual “holy book.” The Salesman explains the value of the book and its mystery. With the intriguing request of the salesman to open the book and find the first and the last page, Borges literally finds himself lost with the book and barters away his Wiclif Bible and a month’s pension for that “Holy Writ.” In a short time, this terrifying book almost destroys Borges’ life and he decides to get rid of the book. He “loses the book of sand” on one of the shelves of his library. The message of the story is understandable for the reader as the flow of the story leads the readers to think more about the infinity. The author is the narrator of the story and it can be concluded that the story has much to do with the late life of Jorge Luis Borges.

The title of the story seems to carry the message of the story. Infinity and obsession are the main themes of the story. The author has used the mathematical, religious and philosophical notions to give the readers the idea of infinity. Sand symbolizes infinity and endless measurement. Book has been represented as a source of instructions and guidance. By these two symbols, the author tries to give philosophical insight about life. The Book of Sand is the perfect book to Borges; even it is a terrible one to own it. There is a contrast between the Bible and the “The Holy Writ.” The narrator has always been fond of books and has gathered a valuable set of books. The Bible puts a religious aspect to the story. The Bible has been regarded as a spiritual source for the author, until he exchanges his valuable copy of the Bible to “the...