The Library of Babel 1. What does it mean to say the Library has existed ab aeterno? 2.

What is the "fundamental law" of the Library? When was it discovered? What were the primary and secondary reactions to this revelation? 3. What is the "superstition" of the Man of the Book? How does the narrator feel about this belief? 4. Does the narrator believe that the Library is infinite? 5. What is the relationship between individuals, and individuality per se, and the Library? 6. What is the general tone of the story, particularly as it relates to intellectual pursuits? Gospel According to Mark 1. What is about to happen to Baltasar Espinosa at the end of the story? 2. The narrator claims that the protagonist, Espinosa, has only two noteworthy qualities. What are they? And how do these qualities become important in the story? 3. When Espinosa begins reading the Gospel of St. Mark to the Gutres, what changes in their behavior does he notice? 4. What other action does Espinosa perform that earns the Gutress gratitude? 5. Why do the Gutres kill Espinosa? What do they hope to gain?