Passage 086 · 1941
"The Garden of Forking Paths"
Main effectThrough recursive genitives, expanding appositives, and modal hypotheticals, Borges creates syntax of infinite possibility—grammar that performs the branching, multiplying structure of the labyrinth itself.
Device index
Hover over a device to highlight its words. Select it to keep the explanation open.
Tropes
Use of more words than necessary.
Exaggeration.
No words highlightedSchemes
Repetition at beginning of phrases.
Syntax
"a labyrinth of labyrinths"—genitive construction that recurses into itself. Syntax performs infinite regress.
"of one sinuous spreading labyrinth"—appositive phrase that restates and expands first labyrinth. Syntax multiplies the concept.
"that would encompass"—relative clause with modal expressing hypothetical. Syntax makes this imagined, not actual labyrinth.
"the past and the future"—two objects of encompass representing temporal totality. Syntax spans all time.
"in some way involve the stars"—prepositional phrase with vague adjective "some." Syntax admits mystery while asserting cosmic scope.
Close reading
1Close Reading
Genitive Recursion
"a labyrinth of labyrinths"—genitive construction that recurses into itself. Syntax performs infinite regress.
Appositive Expansion
"of one sinuous spreading labyrinth"—appositive phrase that restates and expands first labyrinth. Syntax multiplies the concept.
Relative Clause Purpose
"that would encompass"—relative clause with modal expressing hypothetical. Syntax makes this imagined, not actual labyrinth.
Coordinate Objects
"the past and the future"—two objects of encompass representing temporal totality. Syntax spans all time.
Manner Phrase
"in some way involve the stars"—prepositional phrase with vague adjective "some." Syntax admits mystery while asserting cosmic scope.
Stylistic Effect
Through recursive genitives, expanding appositives, and modal hypotheticals, Borges creates syntax of infinite possibility—grammar that performs the branching, multiplying structure of the labyrinth itself.