The Invention of Morel

This invention of Morel, is a failed attempt at immortality. It is a creation that destroys that which it was designed to preserve. While reading the book, I was struck by the lack of life found in Morel's party. Even Faustine's routine vigil on the hillside seems to be without passion for the setting sun. They are merely repeating the steps of what may have truly been a beautiful week, but it has no meaning and when the main character joins the procession there is no one to observe the show. By the editor's comments we know that someone is aware of the situation, but if the main character's narrative serves as an example, one as nothing to gain from witnessing Morel's party except a sense of emptiness. Driven by isolation and the desire to interact with Faustine, if only on a superficial level, the main character commits himself to an eternity of empty participation in the procession.

In Buddhism one strives to reach enlightenment by releasing oneself from suffering and desire. Morel's Invention may be seen as a form of this release. The main character describes the sensation of his dissolving soul, saying, "I have an absurd impression of the pain: it seems to be increasing, but I feel less." He is overcoming suffering; the suffering of love, of loneliness, and physical pain. His relief differs from the ultimate goal of Buddhism, however, because he replaces his suffering not with the fullness of enlightenment in which one no longer distinguishes between pain and pleasure and simply feels unified with the whole. He is implanting himself into the procession but still to suffer eternally as an outsider. He remains alone and recognizes this cycle of suffering when he makes the dying wish that someone will insert him into Faustine's consciousness.

While Borges may have had no intention of alluding to Buddhism, the novel explores the spiritual cost of immortality, and it is my belief that the failure of such ambitions is shared between Morel's Invention and Buddhism. The value of consciousness and life is a subjective mmatter. Without suffering there is no joy, and without death there is no life. The ultimate release in this reality is the full exploration of suffering and the full awareness of joy. The dying wish seems like a prayer, and in the Christian tradition perhaps his eternity will be tied up neatly and he will indulge in eternal bliss, but for my own sake I will take life today, and welcome pain and joy. With the uncertainty of who will hear our prayers and what life would be without suffering, I argue that we must follow nature and let life happen as it will.