Although Menard's version of the Quijote follows Cervantes's verbatim, Menard's ideas seem original because of numerous intervening factors including time, history, tradition, and even the progression of criticism throughout the centuries. This study of Borges's story as a contradictory text is founded upon the strong base of existing criticism, but adds a new level of analysis by addressing textual rhetorical devices and style, elements that have not yet been studied comprehensively.