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Freedom and Confinement
The Fall features a man steeped in isolation, in part because he finds all relationships to be confining. The problem is one of responsibility: if you interact with others, you’re confined not only by their expectations of you, but by the reputation you publically build. And yet, this very same man preaches a philosophy of slavery. Give up freedom, he says – it is too much of a burden. The burden comes in having to prove over and over your innocence in order to continue to remain free. Having to prove as much means getting judged, which the narrator seeks to avoid at all costs. Admit guilt, give up freedom, and submit to a life of slavery – that’s his solution.
Jean-Baptiste’s "confession" is designed both to imprison his reader and to provide the illusion of freedom.
Jean-Baptiste dislikes friendship and romantic relationships because they tie him down with obligations. Yet The Fall proves that isolation is more restrictive than companionship.
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