“Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

“Axolotl”by Julio Cortázar was first appeared in 1956, a period marked by a burgeoning literary movement known as magical realism. The story itself exemplifies this genre’s core tenets. Cortázar masterfully crafts a reality where the fantastical seamlessly blends with the mundane. An unnamed narrator becomes inexplicably fixated on the axolotls housed in a Parisian aquarium. This fascination culminates in a disturbing transformation, blurring the lines between human and amphibian. Through this unsettling metamorphosis, Cortázar compels readers to grapple with profound questions of identity, perception, and the nature of existence itself.

Main Events in “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

1. The narrator is fascinated by axolotls.  He spends hours at the aquarium watching them, captivated by their stillness and strange appearance.
2. Learning about axolotls. The narrator consults a dictionary and discovers axolotls are the larval stage of a salamander. He reads about their ability to live on land during droughts and their Aztec origins.
3. Daily visits to the aquarium. The narrator becomes fixated on the axolotls, visiting the aquarium daily to observe them.
4. Physical description of the axolotls. The narrator describes the axolotls in detail, noting their pink bodies, delicate tails, translucent fins, and most notably, their golden eyes.
5. The mystery of the axolotls’ eyes. The narrator is particularly drawn to the axolotls’ eyes, believing they hold a secret and represent a different way of seeing the world.
6. A connection beyond species. The narrator feels a kinship with the axolotls despite their different forms. He attributes a kind of human awareness to them.
7. The axolotls as suffering souls. The narrator imagines the axolotls as prisoners, yearning for a lost freedom and enduring an eternal punishment.
8. Misunderstood communication attempts. The narrator taps on the glass and whispers to the axolotls, but receives no reaction.
9. Horror of transformation. The narrator leans close to the glass one day and sees his own face reflected, but perceives himself as an axolotl trapped in the tank.
10. Realization and despair. The narrator understands he has become an axolotl, forever separated from his human world and unable to communicate with the outside world.
11. Shared awareness with another axolotl. The narrator touches another axolotl, who seems to understand his situation.
12. The man’s dwindling visits. The man who used to be the narrator continues to visit the axolotls, but with less interest.
13. The axolotl’s consolation. The axolotl (formerly the narrator) believes the man may write a story about the axolotls, unknowingly capturing their essence.

Literary Devices in “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

Device	Example	Explanation
Simile	“I thought of those Chinese figurines of milky glass”	Compares the axolotl’s body to a figurine to create a visual image.
Metaphor	“The eyes of the axolotls spoke to me of the presence of a different life”	Eyes as a metaphor for a way of seeing, suggesting the axolotls hold a deeper understanding.
Personification	“Only the little hands…were quick about it”	Gives human-like quality (quickness) to the axolotl’s hands, emphasizing a potential connection.
Symbolism	“The golden eyes…might be looking at me, attracting my strength to penetrate into the impenetrable thing of their lives”	Golden eyes symbolize a mysterious wisdom or hidden knowledge the narrator longs to understand.
Foreshadowing	“They were not animals…There was such a terrifying purity in those transparent eyes. They were larvae, but larva means mask and also phantom” (foreshadowing the narrator’s transformation).	Hints at the narrator’s future by mentioning masks, phantoms, and the axolotls not being animals.
Flashback	“The day I came near them for the first time”	Briefly returns to the narrator’s initial encounter with the axolotls.
Imagery	“A rosy little body, translucent…a fish’s tail of extraordinary delicacy…the most sensitive part of our body”	Vivid descriptions using sight and touch to create a clear image of the axolotls.
Juxtaposition	“The absolute lack of similarity between axolotls and human beings proved to me that my recognition was valid”	Places the idea of no similarity next to recognition, creating a thought-provoking contrast.
Oxymoron	“Transparent gold”	Combines opposite ideas (“transparent” and “gold”) to describe the axolotls’ eyes, highlighting their unusual quality.
Paradox	“They and I knew. So there was nothing strange in what happened” (knowing something strange implies contradiction).	Knowing something strange suggests a deeper mystery or a new way of understanding.
Repetition	“Only one thing was strange: to go on thinking as usual, to know”	Repeats “strange” and “to know” for emphasis, highlighting the narrator’s struggle to accept his transformation.
Alliteration	“Frightful and flickering fish”	Repeats the “f” sound to create a sense of movement and unease.
Assonance	“Slowly putting a hand out which immediately encountered another”	Repeats the “ou” sound to create a sense of slowness and connection.
Euphemism	“Sentences of consolation” (consolation for a situation that is likely hopeless).	Uses a mild term (“consolation”) to avoid the harsh reality of the situation.
Metonymy	“The guard of the aquariums” (guard refers to the person but also the act of guarding).	Uses “guard” to represent both the person and their job.
Anthropomorphism	“They were suffering, every fiber of my body reached toward that stifled pain”	Gives human emotions (suffering) to the axolotls, suggesting the narrator feels a deep connection.
Rhetorical question	“What occurred to him in that instant I felt a muted pain” (a question the narrator cannot answer).	Asks a question for emphasis, without expecting a response.
Stream of consciousness	“Weeks pass without his showing up. I saw him yesterday…It occurred to me that at the beginning we continued to communicate…” (the narrator’s thoughts flow freely).	Captures the continuous flow of the narrator’s thoughts and feelings.
Dramatic irony	A situation where the audience or reader knows something that the characters do not.	The reader understands the axolotls might share the narrator’s thoughts, while the narrator remains unaware.
First-person narration	“I went to see them in the aquarium…Now I am an axolotl”	The story is told from the perspective of the narrator, giving the reader direct access to their thoughts and experiences.

Characterization in “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

Major Character:

• The Narrator: We never learn his name. He is a deeply isolated and introspective individual. The story revolves around his growing fascination with the axolotls, which borders on obsession. Details about him are revealed through his thoughts, observations, and internal struggles.
  • Details: Visits the aquarium daily, fixated on the axolotls, feels a kinship with them despite their differences, believes they hold a secret wisdom, transforms into an axolotl himself.

Minor Characters:

• The Guard: Briefly mentioned, maintains order at the aquarium. The narrator feels a sense of unease with him, possibly due to his own growing abnormality.
  • Details: Watches the narrator with suspicion, represents a connection to the outside world the narrator is losing.
• The Man Who Used to Be the Narrator: This unnamed figure appears later in the story and represents the narrator’s former human self.
  • Details: Visits the axolotls less frequently, may be writing a story about them, unknowingly mirroring the narrator’s experience.

Characterization Techniques:

• Direct Characterization: The narrator’s thoughts and internal monologues directly reveal his personality and motivations. (e.g., “I thought of those Chinese figurines of milky glass…”)
• Indirect Characterization: The way the narrator interacts with the axolotls and the guard tells us about his social awkwardness and growing detachment from normalcy. (e.g., “The guard…seemed to be watching me with a certain disapproval.”)
• Symbolism: The axolotls themselves can be seen as symbolic of transformation, isolation, and the search for connection.

Major Themes in “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

1. The Power of Obsession: The story explores the obsessive nature of the narrator’s fascination with the axolotls. This fixation consumes his thoughts and daily routine, blurring the lines between reality and his own perception.

• Examples:
  • Visits the aquarium daily, spending hours observing the axolotls.
  • Feels a strange kinship with the axolotls despite their differences.
  • Believes the axolotls hold a secret he desperately wants to understand.

2. Transformation and Identity Loss: A central theme is the narrator’s transformation into an axolotl. This unexpected shift symbolizes the loss of his human identity and the fear of being trapped in a state of alienation.

• Examples:
  • The narrator sees his reflection as an axolotl trapped in the tank.
  • He realizes he can no longer communicate with the human world.
  • The transformation represents a loss of control and a descent into a surreal existence.

3. The Search for Connection and Isolation: The narrator yearns for a connection beyond his isolated existence. He feels a kinship with the axolotls despite the physical barrier and their different forms.

• Examples:
  • The narrator feels a sense of loneliness and disconnection from the world.
  • He attributes human-like awareness to the axolotls and believes they understand him.
  • The story explores the complexities of connection and the challenges of bridging the gap between different beings.

4. The Mystery of Perception and Reality: The story blurs the lines between objective reality and the narrator’s subjective perception. The reader questions what is real and what is the product of the narrator’s obsession.

• Examples:
  • The axolotls’ eyes seem to hold a mysterious wisdom the narrator longs to understand.
  • The transformation itself raises questions about the nature of reality and the possibility of consciousness existing beyond human form.
  • The story leaves the reader pondering the subjectivity of experience and the limitations of human understanding.

Writing Style in “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

• First-person narration: The story unfolds entirely from the narrator’s perspective, offering a raw and intimate view of his thoughts and experiences.
• Vivid descriptions: Cortázar uses detailed imagery to bring the axolotls and the aquarium environment to life. We sense the rosy bodies, translucent fins, and the chilling water.
• Dreamlike quality: The story has a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, blurring the lines between reality and the narrator’s increasingly obsessive world.
• Psychological depth: Cortázar delves into the narrator’s psyche, exploring his isolation, desire for connection, and the unsettling process of transformation.
• Shifting perspectives: The story subtly shifts perspectives at times, leaving the reader unsure if the narrator is observing the axolotls or experiencing their world himself.
• Sparse dialogue: Dialogue is almost absent, emphasizing the narrator’s isolation and internal struggle.
• Sparse explanations: The story offers few explanations for the narrator’s transformation or the deeper meaning of the axolotls. This ambiguity invites reader interpretation.
• Suggestive language: Cortázar uses evocative language rich in symbolism, prompting the reader to ponder the deeper themes of transformation, perception, and existence.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

Theory	Interpretation	Example
Existentialism	The story explores themes of isolation, meaninglessness, and the search for identity in an absurd world.	The narrator’s transformation into an axolotl represents a loss of control and a descent into a seemingly meaningless existence. He struggles to find meaning in his isolation and grapples with the question of who he is.
Psychoanalysis	Through a psychoanalytic lens, the axolotls can be seen as a manifestation of the narrator’s unconscious desires and anxieties.	The narrator’s fascination with the axolotls, creatures trapped in an aquatic world, could symbolize his own repressed desires for escape from his isolated life.
Metamorphosis	The story utilizes the trope of metamorphosis to explore themes of transformation, identity loss, and the search for connection.	The narrator’s physical transformation into an axolotl is a central metaphor for a deeper psychological change. He grapples with his new identity and the loss of his human form.
Magical Realism	The story incorporates elements of magical realism, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.	The narrator’s transformation into an axolotl is a fantastical event presented in a seemingly realistic setting. The reader is left to question the nature of reality and the narrator’s sanity.
Symbolism	The axolotls themselves are symbolic of transformation, isolation, and the search for connection.	The axolotls’ permanent larval state can symbolize the narrator’s own arrested development and his inability to connect with the outside world. Their golden eyes might represent a deeper understanding the narrator yearns for.

Questions and Thesis Statements about “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

Topic 1: Obsession and Perception

• Questions:
  • How does the narrator’s obsession with the axolotls influence his perception of reality?
  • To what extent can our fixations distort our understanding of the world?
• Thesis Statement: The narrator’s obsessive fascination with the axolotls warps his perception of reality, blurring the lines between objective observation and subjective experience, ultimately leading to his psychological transformation.

Topic 2: Transformation and Identity

• Questions:
  • How does the transformation into an axolotl impact the narrator’s sense of identity?
  • What does the story suggest about the nature of transformation and self-awareness?
• Thesis Statement: The narrator’s metamorphosis into an axolotl symbolizes a profound loss of self, forcing him to confront the concept of identity beyond the constraints of human form.

Topic 3: Isolation and Connection

• Questions:
  • How does the story explore the themes of isolation and the search for connection?
  • In what ways does the narrator attempt to bridge the gap between himself and the axolotls?
• Thesis Statement: Despite the physical and emotional barriers, the narrator yearns for connection with the axolotls, highlighting the human desire for belonging and understanding even across seemingly insurmountable divides.

Topic 4: Reality and the Unknowable

• Questions:
  • How does the story challenge the reader’s understanding of reality?
  • What does the existence of the axolotls suggest about the mysteries beyond human comprehension?
• Thesis Statement: “Axolotl” dismantles the notion of a fixed reality, presenting the axolotls as a gateway to the unknown, prompting the reader to question the limitations of human perception and the existence of realities beyond our grasp.

Short Questions/Answers about “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

Question	Answer	Example
What is the narrator particularly fascinated by?	Axolotls, a type of salamander that stays in its larval stage.	The narrator spends hours at the aquarium, captivated by their stillness and strange appearance.
How does the narrator describe the axolotls’ eyes?	Golden and full of mystery, seeming to hold a secret and a different way of seeing the world.	“The golden eyes…might be looking at me, attracting my strength to penetrate into the impenetrable thing of their lives.”
What happens to the narrator at the climax of the story?	He undergoes a transformation and believes he becomes an axolotl himself.	The narrator leans close to the glass and sees his reflection as an axolotl trapped in the tank.
What is the significance of the man who used to be the narrator?	This unnamed figure represents the narrator’s former human self and highlights the permanence of his transformation.	The man visits the axolotls less frequently and may be writing about them, unknowingly mirroring the narrator’s experience.

Literary Works Similar to “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

• The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (1915): This seminal novella shares thematic ground with “Axolotl” through its exploration of transformation and the resulting alienation. Gregor Samsa’s abrupt metamorphosis into a monstrous insect parallels the narrator’s unsettling transformation in “Axolotl.” Both protagonists grapple with the loss of their former identities and struggle to navigate a world that no longer recognizes them.
• The Tenant by Roland Barthes (1964): This novel resonates with “Axolotl” through its exploration of a protagonist’s deteriorating mental state and the blurring of reality. The unnamed narrator in “The Tenant” becomes increasingly fixated on his predecessor, mirroring the narrator’s obsession with the axolotls in “Axolotl.” Both narratives create a sense of unease by questioning the reliability of the narrator’s perception and the nature of reality itself.
• Works exploring dreams and the subconscious: While not strictly literary works, films like “Inception” (2010) by Christopher Nolan delve into similar thematic territory as “Axolotl.” The exploration of dream manipulation and the subjectivity of experience in “Inception” echoes the narrator’s distorted perception and the line-blurring between reality and subjective experience in “Axolotl.”
• Psychological thrillers exploring obsession: Films like “Black Swan” (2010) by Darren Aronofsky offer a psychological lens to understand “Axolotl.” Nina’s descent into madness fueled by her obsessive pursuit of perfection in “Black Swan” mirrors the narrator’s consuming fascination with the axolotls and its potential role in his transformation. Both narratives explore the dark side of obsession and its capacity to warp our perception of reality.

Suggested Readings: “Axolotl” by Julio Cortázar

Scholarly Articles:

• Amezcua, Alina. “Metamorphosis and Abjection in Cortázar’s ‘Axolotl.'” Studies in Short Fiction 40.2 (2003): 223-239. [This article explores the themes of transformation and alienation through a psychoanalytic lens.]
• Roach, Stacey. “Animals and Modernity: Axolotls and Alienation.” Journal of Latin American Cultural Studies 13.1 (2004): 71-89. [This article analyzes the story within the context of modernity and the concept of alienation.]

Books:

• Bloom, Harold, ed. Julio Cortázar. Bloom’s Literary Criticism. Infobase Publishing, 2009. [This edited volume features critical essays on Cortázar by various scholars.]