“The Book of Sand” by Jorge Luis Borges.

Question

Provide another example of external conflict

Person vs _____

Identify the specific forces of the conflict

Briefly summarize the conflict in the story.

Answer 1

Person vs Nature

The specific force of the conflict is the harsh and unforgiving wilderness.

"The Book of Sand" is a short story that tells the tale of a narrator who encounters a mysterious book. This book is unlike any other, as it contains an infinite number of pages. The narrator becomes obsessed with the book, spending hours upon hours flipping through its endless pages, unable to resist its captivating power.

However, as the story progresses, the narrator realizes that this book is a curse rather than a blessing. He becomes trapped in an endless cycle of reading and is consumed by the book's unending pages, losing touch with reality and his own sense of self. Frustrated and desperate, the narrator tries to rid himself of the book but fails, ultimately succumbing to its overwhelming presence.

Throughout the story, the main external conflict is the narrator's struggle against nature. The harsh wilderness surrounding his house becomes a symbol of his entrapment, reflecting the powerlessness he feels against the book. Despite his efforts to resist its allure, the untamable force of nature eventually wins, leading to the narrator's downfall.