Adalbert Stifter's novella The Recluse, also known as Der Einsiedler, tells the story of young Victor, who visits his misanthropic uncle living in isolation in a decaying monastery on an Austrian lake island. Through their initial conflict and growing understanding, the novella explores themes of isolation versus connection and the contrasting life philosophies of the young man and the bitter recluse, culminating in the uncle's plea for Victor to avoid a lonely life.