# XIX: How the Doctor Was Placed in a Terrible Dilemma explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant.

## What happens

Doctor Heraclius Gloss, having discovered that the soul he sought resides in a monkey, faces a terrible moral and practical dilemma. He realizes that without a human apostle, his crusade against superstition is doomed. Contemplating killing the monkey to free the soul for rebirth into a human child, he is restrained by the fear that the soul might instead re-enter another animal, condemning him to eternal punishment. Overcome by emotion, he faints.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Delusion

The Doctor's obsessive quest for a human apostle leads him to the brink of murder, revealing the delusional nature of his crusade against superstition.

### Cruelty and Suffering

The Doctor's contemplation of killing the monkey and his subsequent emotional collapse highlight the cruelty inherent in his scientific and religious fanaticism.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Heraclius Gloss

The Doctor is plunged into a terrible dilemma upon discovering that the soul he sought resides in a monkey, forcing him to confront the limits of his mission and his own moral scruples.

## Key lines

> But just as the most beautiful summer days are sometimes abruptly spoilt by a fearful storm, so the Doctor’s happiness was suddenly marred by a most awful possibility.

Like a sudden storm ruining a perfect summer day, a terrible realization shattered the Doctor's joy.

_The simile underscores the abrupt and devastating nature of the Doctor's discovery._

> He needed a man, an apostle, a confessor, a martyr⁠—a role which could scarcely be filled by a monkey!

He required a human disciple, a witness, a martyr—qualities a monkey could never provide.

_Highlights the Doctor's despair at the inadequacy of the monkey for his grand plans._

> Supposing this man’s sins were not yet expiated, and supposing his soul returned for a second time into the body of a monkey instead of passing into that of a child?

What if the man's sins remained unatoned, causing his soul to be reborn again as a monkey rather than a human?

_This doubt prevents the Doctor from committing murder, showing his fear of eternal consequences._

## Links

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