# the man — Short Fiction character guide

> the man in Short Fiction by Walter M. Miller Jr..

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The man

**First appearance:** 0000-conditionally-human

## Snapshot

A young ritual-thief hangs from a post by nails through his forearms, spitting curses at his executioner while he waits for a woman named Mara who may never come.

## Who they are

Asir stole the holy phrases of his masters, not just their wealth, and for that the village suspends him by his wrists while a squat executioner plays mumblety-peg with the bleeding-blade. Cocky even in agony, he clings to the hope that Mara went to plead with the Chief Commoner, though he knows she is about as trustworthy as a wild hüffen. His slow dying and the question of whether anyone will speak for him drive the story's opening movement.

## Relationships

### [Spaceman Old Donegal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/spaceman_old_donegal)

_friendship_

Spaceman Old Donegal and the man are old war buddies who share a deep, unspoken understanding of past trauma.

### [Asir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/asir)

_psychological_

Asir is obsessed with the man, viewing him as a mysterious mentor figure who holds secrets to his past.

### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/martha)

_social_

Martha and the man are neighbors who exchange pleasantries but keep a polite distance due to his secretive nature.

### [Asir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/asir)

_psychological_

Asir is obsessed with the man, viewing him as a mysterious mentor figure who holds secrets to his past.

### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/martha)

_social_

Martha and the man are neighbors who exchange pleasantries but keep a polite distance due to his secretive nature.

### [Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/martha)

_social_

Martha and the man are neighbors who exchange pleasantries but keep a polite distance due to his secretive nature.

### [Asir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/asir)

_psychological_

Asir is obsessed with the man, viewing him as a mysterious mentor figure who holds secrets to his past.

### [Spaceman Old Donegal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/spaceman_old_donegal)

_friendship_

Spaceman Old Donegal and the man are old war buddies who share a deep, unspoken understanding of past trauma.

### [Spaceman Old Donegal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/spaceman_old_donegal)

_friendship_

Spaceman Old Donegal and the man are old war buddies who share a deep, unspoken understanding of past trauma.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters/the_man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_57_se/characters