# VI explained — Against the Grain

> Chapter companion for Against the Grain by J.-K. Huysmans.

## What happens

Des Esseintes, lost in reverie, recalls his manipulation of D'Aigurande's marriage and his scheme to corrupt a young boy, Auguste Langlois, by introducing him to luxury and vice in order to create a criminal. He reflects on the futility of his experiment and the nature of education and social hatred.

## Themes in this chapter

### Decadence and Degeneracy

Des Esseintes' deliberate attempt to corrupt a young boy into a life of crime exemplifies the theme of moral decay.

### Disillusionment with Society

His scheme is motivated by a desire to create an enemy of society, reflecting his deep disillusionment.

### The Futility of Pleasure

The experiment ultimately fails, as Des Esseintes never hears of Auguste again, underscoring the emptiness of his pursuits.

## Character check-ins

### Des Esseintes

Reflects on his past manipulations and experiments with human behavior.

### D'Aigurande

Recalled as a friend whose marriage Des Esseintes helped to sabotage.

### Auguste Langlois

A young boy Des Esseintes attempted to corrupt into becoming a murderer.

### Madame Laure

The madam of the brothel where Des Esseintes brought Auguste.

### Miss Urania

Mentioned as the 'handsome Jewess' Vanda at Madame Laure's establishment.

## Key lines

> Buried in a vast hooded armchair, his feet resting on the silver-gilt balls of the firedogs, his slippers roasting before the burning logs that shot out bright, crackling flames as if lashed by the furious blast of a blowpipe, Des Esseintes laid down on a table the old quarto he was reading, stretched himself, lit a cigarette and presently lapsed into a delicious reverie, his mind hurrying full chase in pursuit of old-time reminiscences.

Des Esseintes, lounging in a large armchair by the fire, sets aside his book and drifts into a pleasant daydream, recalling past memories.

_Opens the chapter with Des Esseintes in a state of reflective solitude._

> The plain truth is I am simply trying to train a murderer.

I am attempting to mold a killer.

_Des Esseintes reveals his cynical experiment to Madame Laure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/against_the_grain_se/chapters/vi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/against_the_grain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/against_the_grain_se/chapters