# XXV: “I Am That I Am.” explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Guy de Maupassant.

## What happens

Heraclius Gloss, believing himself to be the reincarnation of Pythagoras, becomes consumed with pride and isolates himself in a world of animals. He forbids the killing of any creatures, leading to an infestation of pests, but is troubled by the constant cycle of animals devouring each other. He spends hours observing insects and animals, eventually losing connection with humanity and feeling alienated from his fellow men.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Delusion

Heraclius's belief that he is the reincarnation of Pythagoras and his complete immersion in the animal world illustrate a profound delusion and obsessive detachment from reality.

### Isolation and Loneliness

Heraclius installs himself in sublime isolation, speaking only to animals and feeling helpless and shocked by the stupidity of men, highlighting his profound loneliness.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Heraclius Gloss

Filled with tremendous pride, believing himself to be Pythagoras reincarnated; isolates himself with animals, forbids killing pests, and becomes alienated from humanity.

## Key lines

> From that day onwards Heraclius was filled with tremendous pride. In the same way that the Messiah sprang from God the Father, so he had sprung from Pythagoras⁠—or rather he himself was Pythagoras, for in the past he had lived in the body of that philosopher.

Heraclius becomes immensely proud, believing he is the reincarnation of Pythagoras, just as the Messiah came from God.

_Heraclius's delusion of grandeur and his identification with a historical philosopher._

> Only one thing troubled Heraclius in this superb flowering of his hopes: this was the continual spectacle of animals devouring each other⁠—spiders lying in wait for flies, birds carrying off the spiders, cats gobbling up the birds, and his own dog Pythagoras joyfully mangling any cat which came within reach of his teeth.

The only disturbance to Heraclius's bliss is the constant cycle of animals preying on one another, which he witnesses daily.

_The conflict between Heraclius's ideal of metempsychosis and the harsh reality of nature's violence._

> For him, Man gradually disappeared from creation, and soon he was only conscious of animals. When he thought of them he felt that he was their brother; he spoke to no one but them, and when by chance he was forced to talk to men, he found himself as helpless as though he was among foreigners, and was shocked at the stupidity of his fellow creatures.

Heraclius loses all connection with humanity, seeing only animals as his kin, and feels alienated and contemptuous when forced to interact with people.

_Heraclius's complete withdrawal from human society and his disdain for mankind._

## Links

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