The South (Borges story) Themes & Motifs

This Study Guide consists of approximately 18 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The South.

The South (Borges story) Themes & Motifs

This Study Guide consists of approximately 18 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The South.
This section contains 1,156 words
(approx. 3 pages at 400 words per page)
Buy The South (Borges story) Study Guide

Patriotism, Heritage, and Identity

The story focuses primarily on Juan Dahlmann’s life as he tries to travel from the city to his ranch. Throughout this journey, Borges uses Dahlmann’s character to explore the importance of identity as it relates to nationality and lineage.

Borges uses irony to explore the possible invalidity of basing one’s identity on one’s lineage. At the beginning of the story, the narrator establishes that Johannes Dahlmann is Juan Dahlmann’s German Grandfather, and Francisco Flores is Juan Dahlmann’s Argentinian Grandfather. The narrator confirms that Dahlmann considers himself to be “profoundly Argentinian” (167). Furthermore, Dahlmann only pursues things related to his Argentinian heritage, such as the ranch that Flores bequeathed to him. However, the irony arises because Dahlmann retains his Germanic name. All of Dahlmann’s behavior is catered to his Argentinian side, but he cannot escape his Germanic lineage...

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This section contains 1,156 words
(approx. 3 pages at 400 words per page)
Buy The South (Borges story) Study Guide
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