Prompt:
Borges story, “Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote”, illustrates a series of problems in the traditional notion of authorship. Examine these problems using Barthes’ account of the death of the Author.
Some questions to consider (these are questions to think about when you frame your paper — you do not necessarily need to answer them to address the above prompt):
How does Pierre Menard’s project cast light on the problems of traditional authority? What does Borges’ story show us about the question of the Author? How well does the story fit with Barthes’ ideas?
Keep in mind that there are levels of authority (Cervantes, Menard, the narrator, Borges) in “Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote” and that the issue of authority extends beyond the project described as Menard’s to include Borges himself.
Grading Rubric
You will be graded on:
• how well you address the prompt (within the 3 page limit);
• how well you establish and introduce the point you wish to make;
• how well you work with the texts (citing specific passages, drawing parallels, referring to the language of the text and not simply the narrative);
• how strong your conclusion is: whether you identify the key points demonstrated by your analysis
• how well and how clearly you express yourself and articulate your ideas throughout
• how carefully you have prepared the text (e.g. spelling, punctuation, proper referencing)