Short Fiction · Chapter
XXIX: How One Sometimes Exchanges Scylla for Charybdis explained
After being released from the asylum, Doctor Heraclius Gloss is immediately harassed by a mob of street urchins who mock him as the 'animal man.' He flees home, where in a fit of rage he kills his monkey and then massacres all the animals i
What happens
After being released from the asylum, Doctor Heraclius Gloss is immediately harassed by a mob of street urchins who mock him as the 'animal man.' He flees home, where in a fit of rage he kills his monkey and then massacres all the animals in his garden. The next day, the harassment continues, and his vengeful obsession with killing animals leads to public outrage. He is declared mad by a panel of doctors and recommitted to the asylum.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Delusion
Heraclius's obsession with animals, first as a metempsychosist and then as a killer, drives his madness and leads to his recommittal.
Cruelty and Suffering
Heraclius inflicts brutal violence on animals, and the townspeople cruelly mock him, highlighting cycles of cruelty.
Isolation and Loneliness
Despite being free, Heraclius is isolated by public scorn and his own violent actions, ending up back in the asylum.
Characters to notice
- Doctor Heraclius Gloss
Released from the asylum, he is tormented by street urchins, kills his monkey and garden animals in a rage, and is eventually recommitted.
- Honoré Bontemps
Honorine, the servant, joyfully welcomes Heraclius home and has preserved the animals in the garden, leading to his violent outburst.
Key passages
“Heraclius paused for a moment as he was leaving the fatal building and took a deep breath of the fine air of liberty.”
Upon exiting the asylum, Heraclius momentarily savors his newfound freedom.
Highlights the brief respite before his torment resumes.
“He seized an oak stool which was handy and with one blow split the miserable creature’s skull.”
In a fit of rage, Heraclius kills his monkey with a single blow from a stool.
Symbolizes his violent rejection of his former self and his animal-related delusions.
“Foaming at the mouth and with rage in his heart, he began a terrible massacre of all his harmless friends.”
Overcome with fury, Heraclius slaughters the animals in his garden.
Illustrates his complete loss of control and the tragic turn of his obsession.
“For the second time he passed through the town between two policemen, and saw the heavy door of the building on which was written: 'Home for the Mentally Deficient,' close behind him.”
Heraclius is escorted back to the asylum, where the door closes on him once more.
Emphasizes the cyclical nature of his madness and confinement.