In "The Fall," the narrator expresses a complex relationship with being overlooked on his birthday. Instead of feeling upset about the lack of acknowledgment, he finds that others admire his ability to stay discreet about it. This reaction masks a deeper desire within him; he yearns for solitude, which allows him to indulge in self-pity undisturbed.

This desire for forgetfulness stems from a need to escape external validation and explore his inner feelings. By embracing solitude, he can fully confront his own emotions, demonstrating how isolation can sometimes provide a pathway to personal reflection and understanding.