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Lesson 1 (from A Universal History of Iniquity: Part I)

Objective

A Universal History of Iniquity: Part I

In the short stories of this section of the book, Borges writes of many characters who are morally questionable. Think of Lazarus Morrel, the Widow Ching, Monk Eastman, and Bill Harrigan. This lesson will discuss what purpose the author serves by portraying such seeming scoundrels.

Lesson

1) Group or Partner Discussion: Lazarus Morrel steals and sells slaves; the Widow Ching is a pirate; Monk Eastman is a brutal gangster; Bill Harrigan is an outlaw murderer. Is there anything possibly edifying about reading of the cruel exploits of these characters? Does Borges have a message to send, or is he writing simply to titillate? Obviously, these characters cannot be simply lumped together: are there hints of morality to some of the characters and not others? Do these potential virtues redeem any of the characters?

2) In class Writing Assignment: Take fifteen minutes...

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