# The Uniter of Souls explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

Garmonov, a young and awkward poet, visits Sonpolyev, who feels an inexplicable hatred for him. Sonpolyev converses with a wall and is answered by a four-headed monster, the Uniter of Souls, who offers to merge their souls. On New Year's Eve, Sonpolyev attempts the ritual by burning a magic hair, but Garmonov, in fear, blows out the flame, causing the ritual to fail. The monster laughs and disappears, and Garmonov wishes Sonpolyev a happy New Year.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Control

Sonpolyev attempts to control and merge souls, but Garmonov's fear disrupts the ritual, highlighting the struggle for power over one's own identity.

### Illusion vs. Reality

The magical ritual and the monster's appearance blur the line between reality and illusion, as Sonpolyev and Garmonov confront the possibility of a fused existence.

## Character check-ins

### Souls Garmonov

A young, awkward poet who visits Sonpolyev and is the subject of the soul-merging ritual.

### Sonpolyev

A man of action who feels a strange hatred for Garmonov and attempts to merge their souls.

## Key lines

> There is no mask without a responding soul. It is impossible to put on a mask without harmonizing your soul with its soul. Otherwise the mask is uncovered.

A mask only works if the soul behind it aligns with the mask's essence; otherwise, the deception is revealed.

_Sonpolyev explains the necessity of soul-mask harmony to Garmonov._

> It is possible to hate so strongly and so poignantly only that which is near to one.

Intense hatred is reserved for things that are intimately close to us.

_Sonpolyev reflects on his inexplicable hatred for Garmonov._

> Miscarried! Miscarried!

The ritual has failed! The ritual has failed!

_The Uniter of Souls announces the failure of the soul-merging ritual._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters/the-uniter-of-souls
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_20_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_20_se/chapters