The Ethnographer, Essay Example

a) The narrator of Borges’ story appears to be a distant third person narrator, without any emotional investment in the tale of the ethnographer Fred Murdock. However, Borges’ stylistic decisions seem to contradict this type of third person narration, as the way he constructs the narrative seems to exercise a judgment on the story itself. For example, at the end of the story, when the narrator recounts Murdock’s decision as to why he will not publish his research through the academic press is described by Borges through Murdock as follows: “The secret, for the rest, is not worth as much as the paths that I have taken to get it. Those paths one must walk for themselves.” This suggests a profound wisdom that has been learned by Murdock during his studies of the Native tribes, and thus the suggestion that he has reached a certain enlightenment. However, the way Borges immediately follows this explanation by Murdock contradicts this point, as Borges concludes the story as follows: “Fred got married, then divorced and is now one of the librarians of Yale.” Namely, Borges shows that the acquisition of this secret did nothing to change Fred’s subsequent life, as Borges summarizes the latter as completely mundane. Hence, Borges’ third-person narration is not distanced, but reads as a certain criticism of spirituality, and especially Western peoples being drawn to so-called “new age” spirituality.

b) At first glance, it appears Fred undergoes a radical change in Borges’ story. Firstly, he accepts the initial research project proposed by the university, blindingly following their recommendations: “Murdock accepted with alacrity”, writes Borges. However, the research project, which involves studying the religious rites of a Native American tribe, ultimately makes a profound impression on Murdock, who when he returns to the university refuses to disclose the religious “secrets” he has learned under the tutelage of the Indian Shamans. Hence, his previous state of eagerly following institutional instructions transforms itself into a rejection of institutional norms with the wisdom he is acquired at the hands of the Native Americans. However, arguably Borges also portrays this Native American wisdom as itself a form of institution. Fred then gets married, divorced and becomes a librarian, not demonstrating any enlightenment from his acquaintances with the Indians. Accordingly, it could be argued that Fred does not change throughout the story, merely falling in line with the various institutions that exist throughout society, as he conforms to various social norms, from those of education to those of the Indian tribe to those of heterosexual marriage and to employment.