The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia

After extensive travels, Imlac returned home, hoping for a warm reception. However, he found his father deceased, his wealth divided among brothers who had left, and old friends either dead or indifferent. The community viewed him with suspicion due to his foreign experiences. Disheartened but resilient, Imlac attempted to reintegrate into society but faced numerous rejections due to local prejudices and regulations. Unable to establish a stable place, he retreated from public life. Disillusioned with societal norms, Imlac eventually chose isolation in the Happy Valley. However, even in this controlled environment, he found that human vices persist.

Imlac’s story resonates with Rasselas, who shares his desire to escape the Valley. Imlac, acknowledging Rasselas’s determination, agrees to help him, suggesting that with skill and perseverance, they might overcome the barriers of their confinement and explore the world beyond.

Rasselas and Imlac devise a plan to escape the Happy Valley by mimicking the behavior of rabbits that retreat to burrows on the mountainside. They plan to dig an escape route through the mountain, starting at a point where the summit overhangs the middle.