# XLII: Twelve That Are Fretted Hourly explained — Jurgen

> Chapter companion for Jurgen by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Jurgen leaves Heaven via a private door, conversing with St. Peter about the burdens of being an Apostle, the misuse of Christianity by zealous churchmen, and the War Roof that hides wartime atrocities. Jurgen seeks to return to Amneran Heath to find his mother's cross.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion vs. Reality

St. Peter notes that Jurgen can return to his own illusions, and Jurgen reflects on how women loved a phantom Jurgen.

### Self-Deception and Identity

Jurgen admits he cannot comprehend or love himself, and St. Peter criticizes churchmen who claim fellowship with the Apostles while preaching contrary doctrines.

### Power and Justice

St. Peter describes the special hell for zealous churchmen, designed by the Twelve and overseen by Judas, as a form of divine justice.

## Character check-ins

### Jurgen

Leaves Heaven through a private door, discusses his mother Azra and his lost cross, and decides to return to Amneran Heath.

### St. Peter

Guards Heaven's gate, laments the actions of zealous Christians who misuse the Apostles' names, and explains the War Roof.

### Azra

Jurgen's mother, who loved him with clear eyes and gave him a gold cross he later discarded.

### King Smoit

Mentioned as Jurgen's grandfather, used to illustrate Jurgen's marital woes.

## Key lines

> For thus, St. Peter said, you may return without loss of time to your own illusions.

St. Peter tells Jurgen he can quickly go back to his own fantasies.

_Highlights the theme of illusion vs. reality._

> It is a stone roof, made of the two tablets handed down at Sinai, which God fits over Earth whenever men go to war.

The War Roof is made from the Ten Commandments tablets and covers Earth during wars to hide the horrors from Heaven.

_Explains the War Roof's purpose and its secondary effect of blocking wartime prayers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xlii-twelve-that-are-fretted-hourly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jurgen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jurgen_se/chapters