Can Such Things Be? · Chapter
The Thing at Nolan explained
The chapter recounts the mysterious disappearance of Charles May after a quarrel with his son John, who threatened him.
What happens
The chapter recounts the mysterious disappearance of Charles May after a quarrel with his son John, who threatened him. John is indicted for murder despite no body being found, but is acquitted when witnesses claim Charles was seen alive miles away at Nolan. Later, Charles's body is discovered buried with a fatal head wound, raising the question of what the witnesses actually saw.
Themes in this chapter
Guilt and Retribution
John May's threat 'You will die for that' and subsequent events explore themes of vengeance and justice.
The Uncanny and the Grotesque
The appearance of a wounded Charles May at the store after his death, and the discovery of his buried body, evoke the uncanny.
Violence and Mortality
The fatal blow to the head and the bloody spade highlight the violent death and its aftermath.
Characters to notice
- Charles May
The father, of a sunny disposition but quick temper, who disappears after a quarrel with his son.
- John May
The morose son who threatens his father after being struck, later indicted for murder but acquitted.
- Henry Odell
Storekeeper in Nolan and cousin of Charles May; witnesses Charles's apparent appearance at his store.
Key passages
“Above the left eyebrow was a wound—a deep gash from which the blood flowed, covering the whole left side of the face and neck and saturating his light-gray shirt.”
A deep gash above the left eyebrow bled profusely, covering the left side of his face and neck and soaking his light-gray shirt.
Describes the fatal wound seen on Charles May both at the store and on his corpse.
“John quietly wiped away the blood that followed the blow, fixed his eyes upon the already penitent offender and said with cold composure, 'You will die for that.'”
John calmly wiped the blood from his face, stared at his apologetic father, and coldly declared that he would die for striking him.
John's threat after being struck by his father sets the story's conflict in motion.