Jaromir Hladik, scholar of linguistics and Judaism, dreams. He dreams that he is part of a generations-long chess game with unknown, but certainly severe consequences. He has come of age, and it is time for him to make his move. Shortly after Jaromir awakens from his slumber, he is taken away by the Germans, and is shortly to be executed. While in captivity, he images all the excruciatingly painful ways that he could possibly be executed; he is certain that if he imagines a method of death, it could not truly happen to him. Later, he realizes that his masterpiece is still incomplete, so he prays to God for one more year to finish his work. In a dream, God tells him that his wish has been granted. The next morning, Jeromir is led outside to be shot, and the guns are aimed at him. Minutes later, he realizes that the guns have not yet been fired. He opens his eyes and sees that everything is perfectly still. He comes to understand that his wish really has been granted his wish, and time is frozen for one year. While no record of his work can possibly be kept, Jaromir painstakingly edits and revises his play until it is perfect. At that exact moment, time unfreezes, and he is killed.
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Criticism With Reference to this Story
Carter Wheelock
Borges’
New Prose