In this novella the unnamed narrator laments the unexamined life that he endeavors to live. In the spirit of Henry David Thoreau he yearns to escape the shackles of conformity and find his existential freedom. Alas he delves far too deep in the absurd abyss to be rescued and as such all he can do is dream of a better life.
The protagonist observes the world around him and comments on what he sees. He wonders why there is so much suffering and pain and how man is the cancer on this great planet. He cannot fathom this universe and feels alienated among his fellow men and women.