Poem Analysis - I Ask Myself

A Question of Purpose and Eternity

Jorge Luis Borges' "i ask myself" is a reflective and introspective poem, marked by a tone of quiet contemplation and a hint of weariness. The speaker grapples with the motivation behind his intellectual pursuits in the face of aging and the vastness of existence. The mood shifts subtly from resignation to a tentative hope rooted in the idea of an immortal soul and an infinite universe. It's a poem that invites the reader to consider the meaning of learning and striving in the context of mortality and eternity.

The Weight of Learning and Time

Borges, known for his philosophical bent and fascination with language, often explored themes of time, memory, and the labyrinthine nature of knowledge. This poem reflects that preoccupation. The poem opens with the speaker questioning his late-in-life study of Anglo-Saxon languages. This isn't presented as a joyful pursuit, but rather something tinged with futility, emphasized by the phrase "no hope of mastery or precision." The image of "wasted by the years, my memory / keeps letting fall the word repeated in vain" powerfully conveys the sense of decline and the struggle against the erosion of knowledge. The theme of mortality and the limits of human endeavor is thus central to the poem.

Weaving and Unweaving: Life's Repetitive Tapestry

Another prominent theme is the cyclical nature of existence. The line "and in much the same way my life goes on / weaving and unweaving its weary history" uses the metaphor of weaving to suggest the repetitive, sometimes futile, nature of life's experiences. It is not about building or achieving something concrete, but more about engaging in a never-ending activity, only to undo it again and again. The word "weary" underscores the sense of fatigue and the weight of this repetitive process. The poem implies a broader question: is there meaning in this constant cycle of creation and destruction?

The Soul's Vast Grave Sphere: An Embrace of Infinity

The idea of an eternal soul provides a counterpoint to the themes of mortality and weariness. The speaker entertains the possibility that "the soul / knows in some secret and sufficient way / that, destined, as it is, never to die, / its vast grave sphere encompasses the whole." This image of the soul as a "vast grave sphere" is particularly striking. It suggests that the soul's immortality doesn't negate the existence of death, but rather transcends it, containing both life and death within its boundless scope. This notion offers a sense of comfort, suggesting that our individual efforts, however small or seemingly futile, are part of a larger, eternal design. Is the "grave sphere" a comforting image of encompassing eternity or a chilling image of endless, inescapable containment?

The Universe as an Inexhaustible Frontier

The poem concludes with the powerful image of the "inexhaustible" universe waiting beyond the speaker's earthly pursuits. This serves as a final symbol and reinforces the theme of eternity. The "arduous task" of studying and the "verse" he creates are presented as limited, finite activities in comparison to the boundless possibilities of the universe. This suggests that true meaning lies not only in the accumulation of knowledge or the creation of art, but also in the recognition of something bigger than ourselves. The universe, in its vastness, embodies the potential for endless exploration and discovery, both intellectual and spiritual. It is the ultimate frontier, forever beckoning.

Finding Meaning in the Face of Infinity

"i ask myself" is a profound meditation on the meaning of life, learning, and mortality in the face of eternity. Through its reflective tone, potent imagery, and exploration of themes like cyclical existence and the eternal soul, the poem offers a glimpse into the human condition, seeking solace and purpose in the vastness of the universe. Ultimately, the poem suggests that while our individual endeavors may be limited, they are part of something larger and potentially eternal, offering a sense of hope amidst the weariness of existence.