Disenchantment · Chapter
XIV: Our Moderate Satanists explained
This chapter explores the concept of 'moderate Satanism' as a form of disillusionment with traditional authority and institutions following World War I.
What happens
This chapter explores the concept of 'moderate Satanism' as a form of disillusionment with traditional authority and institutions following World War I. It describes how ordinary soldiers and civilians, particularly in England, developed a deep skepticism toward the ruling classes, the press, the church, and political institutions, not through passionate rebellion but through a cold, indolent apathy. The chapter contrasts this English moderation with more extreme forms of disillusionment elsewhere, and examines how the war exposed the failures of the upper classes, the hypocrisy of patriotism, and the corruption of profiteers, while noting that even in their vices the English preserved a distinguished moderation.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment and Disenchantment
The chapter is a deep exploration of how the war shattered faith in authority, institutions, and traditional moral order, leading to a cold, apathetic skepticism among the common man.
Critique of Authority and Institutions
The narrator criticizes the ruling class, the War Office, Parliament, the press, and the church for their failures and hypocrisy during the war.
Propaganda and Deception
The chapter highlights the contrast between the daily events soldiers saw and the accounts printed in the press, destroying respect for the truthfulness of the media.
Class and Social Inequality
The text discusses the failure of the upper classes in wartime and the contempt they earned from common soldiers, while noting the lack of natural class jealousy among Englishmen.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator reflects on the disillusionment of the common soldier and the failures of the ruling class, using personal observations and anecdotes.
- The Kaiser
Mentioned in the context of a private applying Dickensian humor to him, and as the figurehead of a government that brought war upon Germany.
- Dickens
Referenced as the source of a quote applied to the Kaiser by a soldier who knew Dickens by heart.
- Burke
Quoted regarding 'the pomps and plausibilities of the world' that soldiers learned to take less seriously.
- Kitchener
Mentioned indirectly in the context of the record of French as commander-in-chief and the failures of the high command.
- Foch
Referenced in the context of the common man's lack of detailed knowledge about the record of French as commander-in-chief.
Key passages
“The disbelief, the suspicion, the vacuous space in the disendowed heart, the spiritual rubbish-heap of draggled banners and burst drums—all that blank, unlighting and unwarming part of Satanism was his, without any other: a Lucifer cold as a moon prompted him listlessly, not to passionate efforts of crime, but to self-regarding and indolent apathy.”
The soldier's disillusionment was not a fiery rebellion but a cold, listless apathy, a hollow emptiness where faith once was, leading to self-centered indifference rather than active evil.
Describes the 'moderate Satanism' of the English soldier as a passive, disenchanted state rather than active wickedness.
“Our ruling class had, on the whole, failed, and had to be pulled through by him and the French and Americans; that feeling, in one form or another, is clear in the common man’s mind.”
The common soldier felt that the upper classes had failed and that the war was won despite them, by the efforts of ordinary men and their allies.
Captures the widespread sentiment of contempt for the ruling class among soldiers.
“The contrast between the daily events that men saw and the daily accounts that was printed was final. What the Press said thenceforth was not evidence.”
Soldiers saw the lies in newspapers every day, and after the war, they never trusted the press again.
Highlights the complete loss of credibility of the press in the eyes of soldiers.
“He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Still, there is reason in everything. 'Meden agan,' as the Greeks said—temperance in all things, even in robbery, even in patriotism and personal honour.”
Even the profiteers and corrupt officials in England were moderate in their greed, following the Greek principle of 'nothing in excess.'
Illustrates the theme of English moderation even in vice.
