The Beast in the Jungle

John Marcher lives his life haunted by the premonition of an impending, cataclysmic event destined to shatter his existence—a fate he refers to as "the beast in the jungle." As years pass, he confides in the steadfast May Bartram, who quietly observes his ceaseless anticipation. In this masterful exploration of missed opportunities and introspective despair, Henry James presents a poignant meditation on the paralyzing nature of fear and the tragic cost of a life unlived.