# Paul Herbst — Short Fiction character guide

> Paul Herbst in Short Fiction by Hjalmar Söderberg.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Herbst

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

A moonlit philosopher of the shadow side, who walks the night streets cataloguing the friends who have already crossed over.

## Who they are

Herbst strolls homeward with a companion, discoursing on the freemasonry of those who have passed the line into resignation — visible in their walk, their carriage, the lines around the mouth. He finds a certain consolation in watching acquaintances slip one by one toward the same end, though he admits it leaves much to be desired. He turns up his coat collar, bids a hurried good night, and predicts a headache: he cannot stand moonlight.

## Relationships

### [Margot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/margot)

_friendship_

Margot and Paul Herbst are close friends, supporting each other through various events.

### [Margot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/margot)

_friendship_

Margot and Paul Herbst are close friends, supporting each other through various events.

## In the story

### [Communion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/communion)

Not directly named in this excerpt, but the clergyman present is a neighbor and a key figure who questions the narrator about his confirmation.

### [Margot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/chapters/margot)

Herbst is the central figure, recounting his marriage to Margot and his philosophical reflections on loss and memory.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters/paul_herbst
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_29_se/characters