Weird Circle 13 - The Man Without a Country

"Out of the past phantoms of a world gone by speak again their immortal tale: The Man Without a Country."

This episode, first broadcast on November 21, 1943, is an adaptation of a short story with the same title by Edward Everett Hale, first published in 1863. While short, the original had many details which were cut out to hone this down to its core. The result is an effective piece of patriotic propaganda, suitable for a World War II audience. This is only fitting, as the original was a pro-Union piece, published during the American Civil War.

The story is told from the perspective of a former colleague of the eponymous man, Philip Nolan, who is a huge, embarrassing fan of Aaron Burr, and follows him through thick and thin. When the latter is tried for treason, so is Nolan. He ends his very minimal defense by damning the United States, and wishing to never hear of it again. In a fantastical ruling, the judges give him what he wants, and he is condemned to spend the rest of his days aboard ships, under guard, with all around him forbidden from mentioning the US or anything about it. This has a chilling effect on all who interact with him, so not only does he never hear of his homeland, but few people will share his company for long, when they have to avoid mentioning anything to do with a significant world power, even then. In a pivotal scene, Nolan is tasked with using the Portuguese he has learned in his isolation to communicate with the crew and captives of a slaver ship. The people once enslaved and now free yearn to return to their home, while Nolan cannot go to his. On his deathbed he allows a crew member to see his cabin, which is a shrine to as much of the US as he could remember, and he is finally told of its subsequent development.

The surreal punishment makes for compelling listening, despite the melodrama. The story is mostly told through narration by Nolan's former colleague, with some dialogue mixed in.