Question

In the short story “Briefcase” by Rebecca Makai, write a short paragraph of how the man isn’t free by the end of the story. Consider whose life he’s living, what freedoms were exchanged or lost, and does assuming a false identity make you more or less yourself

Answer 1

By the end of Rebecca Makkai's “Briefcase,” the man remains trapped in a life that is not his own, symbolizing the profound loss of identity and freedom that comes with assuming a false identity. While he physically escapes the violence of his past, he becomes a mere shadow, living out the life of another—a teacher whose memories and relationships he can never truly claim as his own. This exchange of identities showcases the irony of his situation: in his quest for safety and freedom, he sacrifices his true self, leading to a deep sense of disconnection. The weight of this borrowed existence brings forth the question of whether one can ever be truly "free" while shackled to the life of another, underscoring that to live authentically is an essential part of being truly oneself.