Oh! Is it true that I will die before the sun sets? Really? Am I? These screams that come to my ear from the outside, the joyful crowd running on the dock, the gendarmes prepared in the barracks, that black dressed priest, that man wearing red dress, all this is all prepared for me! For me who will die! I am currently standing here, living, moving, breathing, sitting in front of this table, which resembles all tables, and now I can be elsewhere; I touched me, the one who feels, I am with wrinkled clothes!
In Victor Hugo's "The Last Day of a Condemned Man," the protagonist reflects on the impending execution he faces, struggling with the reality of his mortality. He experiences a wave of conflicting emotions upon realizing that the lively scenes outside are in stark contrast to his fate. The joyful crowd, armed soldiers, and solemn figures prepare for a moment that signifies the end of his life. This juxtaposition heightens his sense of isolation and despair.
The condemned man grapples with the surrealness of his situation, keenly aware of his existence as a living being. Despite the anticipation of death, he acknowledges his current sensations and the mundane aspects of life, such as sitting at a table. His thoughts highlight a profound struggle between life and the impending doom, showcasing his internal conflict and humanity amid the stark reality of his fate.
