Everything and Nothing, Jorge Luis Borges: Summary & Analysis

‘Everything and Nothing’ is a captivating parable penned by the renowned Argentinian writer, Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) . Although often categorized as a short story, it transcends conventional boundaries, making it more akin to a philosophical parable. In just a few pages, Borges weaves a tale of a man who lacked a distinct personality of his own but found solace in creating an array of diverse characters through his literary endeavors. Gradually, the narrative unravels, revealing that the enigmatic figure at the center of the tale is none other than the celebrated playwright, William Shakespeare . Plot Summary Borges paints a portrait of a man whose written words were imbued with vitality and verve, yet the essence of his own being remains shrouded in mystery. Both his writings and the portrayals of him reveal little of his inner self. Quest for Identity The man initially perceived others to be akin to himself, but with time, he came to comprehend the hollowness within his own being wh…