"The Beast in the Jungle" unfolds over six parts, exploring a man's existential dread of an unnameable future event. John Marcher, haunted by a premonition, shares this secret with May Bartram, and together they wait for his fate to unfold. This tale of suspense and unfulfilled life crescendos with a poignant revelation about the nature of Marcher's existence.

An Encounter in the Countryside

In the opening section, John Marcher, the protagonist, finds himself at a stately home in the English countryside. His attention is captured by a woman whose familiar demeanor sparks a distant memory. They soon come face to face, and she reminds him of their brief interaction a decade ago in Italy. During that encounter, Marcher had revealed a profound secret to her: he believed he was destined for a colossal event, though its specifics eluded him. Intrigued yet disturbed by this reunion, Marcher is relieved to reconnect with May Bartram, the sole keeper of his secret. Their conversation rekindles their bond, and Bartram agrees to be a faithful companion, one who will stand by him and await the unfolding of his supposed fate.

Settling into a Shared Vigil

The second section reveals that May has inherited enough to settle in London, allowing her to forge a deeper connection with Marcher. Their lives intertwine as they navigate their constant companionship. This chapter predominantly focuses on Marcher's delight in having someone to share his vigil with, while time seems to slip by swiftly, blurring the lines between days and years.

The Passage of Time and Illness

In the third segment, Marcher and Bartram reflect on their unique relationship, acknowledging the curiosity they evoke in others due to their close yet unmarried association. As time marches on, May falls ill, suffering from a grave illness that hastens her decline. This development unsettles Marcher, intensifying his anxiety about whether his destined event will ever occur. He grapples with the fear of having misjudged his fate entirely, clinging to the bleak hope that he hasn't been deceived by his beliefs.

Confronting Doubt

The fourth section brings Marcher to Bartram's bedside, where her waning serenity and their discussions about his "beast" force him to reevaluate his conviction. It dawns on him that perhaps May is trying to shield him from a devastating truth, that experiencing his beast might lead to his ruin. Disturbed by this possibility, Marcher becomes increasingly unsettled when May suggests that the event he anticipated may never materialize, hinting it was something meant to have already occurred.

Facing the Void

By the fifth part, May is gravely ill, and Marcher's visits become limited. When they do meet, their conversation inevitably turns to the beast once again. May hints that whatever was to happen has already transpired without Marcher's awareness. Her death leaves Marcher with a haunting sense of failure, realizing he has missed whatever monumental event he was waiting for. With this realization, his life loses its direction; no longer able to wait for his beast, he becomes consumed by what he failed to recognize. His days now filled with restless wondering prompt him to embark on travels in a futile quest for answers.

The Revelation at the Graveyard

In the final section, Marcher returns to London after a year of roaming Asia, still seeking clarity. He routinely visits May's grave, but nothing has illuminated his understanding. A year passes in this manner until, one day at the cemetery, Marcher observes a grieving man whose visage is etched with profound sorrow. This sight triggers an epiphany in Marcher. He comprehends, with a jolt of anguish, that his life was never meant to witness extraordinary events. Instead, he was destined to linger in anticipation, missing out on the beauty and richness of life. This harrowing recognition of his true "beast" leaves him in a state of shock and despair.