The Blind Owl

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of necrophilia and substance misuse.

The story opens with the unnamed narrator explaining that he is going to tell the story of a supernatural moment where his soul was “between awakening and sleep, in a state of purgatory and unconsciousness” (3). He says it is a painful memory that has marked him forever. He has decided to write the story for his shadow on the wall so they can understand each other better.

The narrator explains that two months and four days ago he saw a beautiful woman, whom he refuses to name. After her disappearance, the narrator becomes a hermit who spends his days drinking wine and smoking opium in his room. He works painting the same image over and over again on pen case covers. The image is of a Hindu yogi wearing a cloak and a turban under a cypress tree, while a beautiful woman in a black dress offers him a morning glory with a stream running between them. His uncle sells the pen cases in India for him.

On the 13th day of the new year, two months and four days ago, the narrator was painting when his uncle arrived at his house.