The Bound Man (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Ilse Aichinger
- First Published: 1953
- Type of Plot: Fable
- Time of Work: Summer
- Setting: Unspecified
- Principal Characters: The bound man, The circus owner, The circus owner's wife
- Genres: Fable, Short fiction
- Subjects: Freedom, Power, personal or social, Theft, Captivity, Circuses or carnivals, Wolves, Seasons
The Story
A man awakened by strong spring sunlight discovers that he is bound but in a loose way that makes him smile. He can move his legs a little, and his arms are bound to themselves, not to his body. Wanting to cut the cord, he finds that his knife, money, coat, and shoes are missing. There is also blood on his head.
After several attempts, he manages to stand up. Unable to walk, he hops away like a bird, and hears stifled laughter. Realizing that he might not be in a position to defend himself frightens him.
He heads for the nearest village. As evening...
[The entire page is 1431 words long]
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