The Mathematics of Borges: A Literary Analysis
Alejandra Monerri Revuelta '25
Literature & Classics, Mathematics
If you have ever read "The Library of Babel", you'll know there seem to be more numbers than any other word in those short 30 pages. It's no accident. Borges had an interesting relationship not only to Philosophy but also Mathematics, in its purest form. This thesis explores the ways in which Borges constructs infinity through mathematical concepts in foundational literary elements in order to emphasise the theme of the limitations of human knowledge and understanding. It looks at the setting, characters, and narrative structure of "The Library of Babel", "The Aleph", and "The Garden of Forking Paths" through topology, number theory, probability, and other mathematical jewels.
What drew you to explore this topic?
When I was accepted into UCU to study both Literature and Mathematics, many people were curious about how I would balance them. What people didn't know was that my intention was never to study these two seemingly opposing fields separately, but to find a way to combine them. My thesis was one of the times that I did just that.
What鈥檚 the next chapter in your journey post-graduation?
Still unwilling to choose between Literature and Mathematics, I decided to do a 180 in my studies and try something new: in September, I will be starting a Master in Management at Rotterdam School of Management. Having been heavily involved in societies on campus, I discovered my interest in various aspects of Human Resource Management, which led me to intern in Talent Acquisition at Catawiki and, ultimately, to pursue a career as an HR Generalist.