# Young Man with a Trumpet explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Frank Belknap Long.

## What happens

After Man leaves Earth, the animals attempt to create music to fill the void left by humanity. Various animals try and fail to produce beautiful sounds, until a monkey plays a golden trumpet, producing music that surpasses anything Man ever achieved.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Morality

The animals strive to avoid Man's mistakes and tragic impulsiveness, reflecting on human flaws.

### Alien Encounters and Otherness

The animals are portrayed as distinct beings trying to emulate and surpass human achievements, creating a sense of otherness.

## Key lines

> When Man left Earth forever the animals still carried on proudly.

After humanity departed Earth, the animals continued their existence with pride.

_Sets the post-human setting of the chapter._

> It was as if Ulysses, lashed to his mast, had burst his bonds at last, and was with swift breast strokes approaching the island of his heart’s desire.

The music evoked the image of Ulysses freeing himself and swimming toward his longed-for island.

_Describes the transcendent quality of the monkey's trumpet music._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_17_se/chapters/young-man-with-a-trumpet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_17_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_17_se/chapters