The Return of the Exiles
The narrative unfolds with an encounter between a traveler and two old men by the roadside, one wielding a hammer and the other a spear. They express a desire to return to Stonehenge, a place steeped in ancient significance. Their conversation reveals a sense of nostalgia and a longing for a past that seems to haunt them. The traveler, noting their worn appearance and servile demeanor, feels discomfort and chooses to distance himself. Upon reaching Stonehenge, the traveler observes a gathering of men who inquire about his expectations. Their solemnity hints at a ritualistic purpose. The two old men soon arrive, and the atmosphere shifts as they lead a goat to the altar stone. The crowd's reverence is palpable; they kneel in respect as the old men perform a sacrificial rite. Initially, the act brings joy to the old men, but this quickly turns to sorrow as one laments the loss of human sacrifice, indicating a shift in their cultural practices over millennia. The gathering becomes tense as the old men’s nostalgia for a time when sacrifices were human becomes evident. The traveler, feeling increasingly out of place and sensing the weight of history and ritual, decides to leave. As he departs, he hears the old men’s plaintive apologies for their return to Stonehenge, underscoring their deep connection to the past and the sorrow of what has been lost over the ages. The story encapsulates themes of memory, cultural identity, and the passage of time, illustrating the profound impact of history on the present.
By Lord Dunsany · First published 1920 · Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction · 680 words
First lines
The old man with a hammer and the one-eyed man with a spear were seated by the roadside talking as I came up the hill.
"It isn't as though they hadn't asked us," the one with the hammer said.
What this Textopian page supports
The Return of the Exiles is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lord Dunsany, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Lord Dunsany
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Mythopoeia, Short Story
- Length: 680 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Return of the Exiles by Lord Dunsany
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves mythical elements and a surreal atmosphere, characteristic of fantasy literature.
- Literary Fiction — The story explores deep themes of nostalgia, identity, and the passage of time, typical of literary fiction.
- Speculative Fiction — The plot speculates on the return of ancient beings and their interactions with modernity, fitting the speculative genre.
- Mythopoeia — The story draws on mythological themes and settings, particularly with references to Stonehenge and ancient rituals.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Mythology · Magic · Realism · Symbolism · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Identity Crisis · Social Commentary · Cultural Critique · Historical Fiction