# XXXVIII: As to Applauded Precedents explained — Jurgen

> Chapter companion for Jurgen by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Jurgen, now in Hell, marries the vampire Florimel and adapts to Hell's customs, including polygamy. He advises Grandfather Satan on governance, advocating for severe punishment of dissenters to suppress rebellion, citing authorities like Livonius, Rudigernus, and Zantipher Magnus. Satan adopts Jurgen's methods, leading to a superficially happier Hell through fear. Jurgen also confronts Florimel's vampiric nature, asserting his unique vitality.

## Themes in this chapter

### Compromise and Conformity

Jurgen adapts to Hell's customs, marrying Florimel and advocating for oppressive policies to maintain order.

### Power and Justice

Jurgen advises Satan on using severe punishment to enforce law, highlighting the tension between justice and authoritarianism.

### Self-Deception and Identity

Jurgen's assertion of his unique nature and his role as emperor reflect his self-perception and manipulation of identity.

## Character check-ins

### Jurgen

Marries Florimel, advises Satan on harsh governance, and asserts his unique nature to Florimel.

### Grandfather Satan

Ruler of Hell who heeds Jurgen's advice to enforce stricter laws and suppress rebellion.

### Florimel

Vampire whom Jurgen marries; attempts to feed on Jurgen but is rebuffed.

### Coth

Jurgen's father, visited by Jurgen and Florimel after their marriage.

### Phlegeton

A devil who praises Jurgen's speech in Pandemonium.

## Key lines

> Why, but look you, in deploring the mob spirit that has been manifesting itself sporadically throughout this country against the advocates of peace and submission to the commands of Heaven and other pro-Celestial propaganda—and in warning loyal citizenship that such outbursts must be guarded against, as hurtful to the public welfare of Hell—why, Grandfather Satan should bear in mind that the government, in large measure, holds the remedy of the evil in its own hands.

Jurgen argues that the government itself is responsible for mob violence by failing to punish pro-Celestial sympathizers harshly enough.

_Jurgen uses rhetoric to blame Satan's leniency for unrest, advocating for stricter enforcement._

> Ineffectual administration of the law is the true defence of these outbursts: and far more justly deplorable than acts of mob violence is the policy of condonation that furnishes occasion for them.

Weak law enforcement, not mob violence, is the real problem; tolerating dissent invites disorder.

_Jurgen shifts blame from the mob to the authorities, justifying repression._

> You should have remembered, sir, that a devil whose patriotism is impugned is a devil to be punished; and that there is no time to be prying into irrevelant questions of his guilt or innocence. Otherwise, I take it, you will never have any real democracy in Hell.

Accused devils should be punished immediately without trial to maintain order and true democracy.

_Satirical inversion of democratic principles to justify authoritarianism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jurgen_se/chapters/xxxviii-as-to-applauded-precedents
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jurgen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/jurgen_se/chapters