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Many face challenges in life. One challenge is overcome only to be followed by the second one. People gain knowledge and wisdom in overcoming challenges of life. In the story, “The Bound Man” by Ilse Aichinger, Aichinger develops the idea that an individual's response to challenge enables a person to find a way to overcome a situation in order to stay alive and also allows for a growth in knowledge. The rope is a source of strength. Without the rope the bound man “felt suddenly weak”(Aichinger 499). The rope is almost a source of food; without it he would die. The only way to stay alive without the rope is to rely on life support or “the pistol that hung ready”(499). The bound man had to have the rope. It was his source of income in that he is provided for in being with the circus. Being with the circus tied up like he was made him the star, the role model in everyone’s life especially the younger generation. “Children...started playing the game of the bound man”(490). Everyone wanted to have part of the strength, which the bound man has. It is like people who hunger for certain things in life and cannot live without them. The rope is a part of the bound man. It belonged to him. Without the rope he was not