The Rebel by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Short summary

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Protagonist A. finds himself in a mysterious country ruled by a cruel tyrant. The people see him as a liberator. A. is hidden in prison, but they forget about him. The man goes mad.

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A. searches for his missing father. He finds himself in a mysterious country, ruled by a cruel ruler, who sends anyone to be executed at his discretion. No one has seen the head of state. People have been waiting for years for a Rebel to stop the tyrant and ensure a just rule.

A. goes to the palace. There he reconciles the opposing political coalitions and communicates with the chief theologian. All the courtiers believe that he is the Rebel, despite A.’s protests.

Suddenly he is arrested. The head of the guard is at his side and informs him that his arrest is necessary to protect A. from the tyrant. He is imprisoned and released in five minutes.

A. is locked in a prison with mirrored walls. He has not been released — the political coalitions have quarreled again and he has been forgotten. No one visits A., they don’t bring him water or food. He is going crazy.