Là-Bas · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Là-Bas by J.-K. Huysmans.
Chapter 1
I
Durtal and Des Hermies debate the merits and failures of naturalism in literature, with Des Hermies condemning its materialism and Durtal defending its contributions. Durtal then reflects on his artistic ideal, found in the Primitives and especially in Grünewald's Crucifixion, which embodies a 'supernatural realism.' This leads him to contemplate Catholicism and the supernatural, though he acknowledges his lack of faith and the worldly motives that draw him toward religion.
Chapter 2
II
Durtal reflects on his withdrawal from literary society, his friendship with Des Hermies, and his immersion in the study of Gilles de Rais as an escape from contemporary naturalism. Des Hermies diagnoses Durtal's spiritual disarray and recovery through medieval history. The chapter also introduces the Chantelouve salon and Des Hermies's enigmatic character.
Chapter 3
III
Durtal endures the chaotic cleaning habits of his concierge, Père Rateau, and later discusses with Des Hermies the virtues of dust and the symbolism of bells. They visit Carhaix, the bell-ringer, who laments the decline of bell-ringing as a sacred art and shows them the tower's broken statues and an old bell skull. Durtal reflects on the comfort of bells and Carhaix's devotion to his craft.
Chapter 4
Chapter IV
Durtal and Des Hermies discuss the life and crimes of Gilles de Rais, focusing on his transformation from a brave captain and patron of the arts into a sacrilegious sadist. Des Hermies asserts that Satanism persists into the modern era, linking it to corrupt clergy. Durtal outlines Gilles's biography, his role in the court of Charles VII, his ruinous extravagance, and his descent into occultism and murder.
Chapter 5
V
Durtal, Des Hermies, and Carhaix continue their discussion of Satanism, focusing on the black mass, the use of consecrated hosts for sacrilegious acts, and the historical continuity of diabolical practices from the Middle Ages to the present. Des Hermies details modern Satanist societies, the role of defrocked priests like Canon Docre, and the hypocrisy of perverse clergy. Carhaix shares anecdotes about the astrologer Gévingey's bell experiments. The chapter ends with a meal in Carhaix's tower, where the conversation returns to Gilles de Rais and the persistence of Satanism through the centuries.
Chapter 6
VI
Durtal wakes late, lazily stays in bed, and converses with his cat before forcing himself to rise and work on Gilles de Rais. He reflects on alchemy, the philosopher's stone, and historical alchemists like Nicolas Flamel, Van Helmont, Helvetius, and Alexander Sethon, considering the continued practice of alchemy in his own time.
Chapter 7
Chapter VII
Durtal wrestles with the identity of his mysterious correspondent, suspecting she is Mme Chantelouve. He dissects her letters, her dual personality, and the Chantelouves' dubious social and financial schemes, oscillating between desire and caution.
Chapter 8
VIII
Durtal's obsession with the unknown woman subsides as he begins to suspect she may be Madame Chantelouve. He reflects on the nature of Satanism through the lens of Gilles de Rais, contrasting the Middle Ages with modernity. After Madame Chantelouve's visit, he resolves to proceed cautiously in the affair, acknowledging his attraction is intellectual rather than emotional.
Chapter 9
Chapter IX
Durtal, Des Hermies, Carhaix, and Gévingey engage in a deep discussion about demonology, succubi and incubi, the limits of science versus faith, and the terrifying practices of the renegade priest Canon Docre, whom Durtal compares to Gilles de Rais.
Chapter 10
The Visit
Durtal anxiously prepares his apartment for Madame Chantelouve's visit, buying exotic essences and cleaning obsessively. When she arrives, their encounter is tense and ambiguous: she resists his advances, speaks of her husband and confessor, and invites him to her home the next night. After she leaves, Durtal is left confused and frustrated, questioning her motives and his own behavior.
Chapter 11
Chapter XI
Durtal awakens calm and resolute, having lost interest in Madame Chantelouve after her manipulative delays. He decides to keep two final appointments and then break off the affair. Turning to his manuscript, he delves into the escalating atrocities of Gilles de Rais, detailing the Marshal's transition from alchemical experiments to systematic child murder, his spiritual corruption, and the widespread terror that grips the countryside as children vanish.
Chapter 12
Chapter XII
Durtal visits the Chantelouve home, where he engages in conversation with both Hyacinthe and her husband. They discuss the lives of saints, the legend of Bluebeard, and Durtal's theory of a new sin called Pygmalionism. The chapter ends with Madame Chantelouve promising to visit Durtal the following night.
Chapter 13
XIII
Durtal prepares his apartment for Madame Chantelouve's visit, oscillating between anticipation and anxiety. When she arrives, their encounter is marked by physical intimacy but profound emotional disillusionment. Durtal finds the reality of the affair hollow and degrading, shattering his idealized fantasies.
Chapter 14
XV
Durtal reflects on the parallels between medieval Satanism and modern science, obsesses over Canon Docre, and endures a strained visit from Madame Chantelouve, during which he fabricates a mistress and child to discourage her, but she remains persistent. He extracts information from her about Docre's past and her own involvement with incubacy.
Chapter 15
XVI
Durtal reflects on his contradictory feelings toward Hyacinthe Chantelouve, analyzing her three distinct personas and comparing her to Gilles de Rais, whom he also sees as a figure of contradictions. Des Hermies visits, and they discuss the state of literature, the public, and the artist's isolation. Durtal continues his research on Gilles de Rais's trial, focusing on the events leading to his arrest and the dual ecclesiastical and civil tribunals.
Chapter 16
XVII
Durtal visits the ailing Carhaix in his tower room, where the bell-ringer laments the decline of bell-ringing traditions. Later, Durtal converses with Madame Chantelouve about Satanism, the Black Mass, and Canon Docre, revealing her past involvement with Docre and her knowledge of diabolic practices.
Chapter 17
XVIII
Durtal agrees to attend a Black Mass officiated by Canon Docre, signing a letter of introduction arranged by Mme Chantelouve. He reflects on the interconnectedness of his research into Gilles de Rais and contemporary Satanism. Des Hermies visits and they discuss the history and nature of Black Masses. The chapter then shifts to the trial of Gilles de Rais, where he confesses publicly to his horrific crimes, is embraced by Jean de Malestroit, and the court sentences him.
Chapter 18
XIX
Durtal accompanies Mme. Chantelouve to a Black Mass in a secluded chapel, where Canon Docre leads a sacrilegious ceremony invoking Satan and desecrating the Eucharist. Repulsed by the experience and his companion's involvement, Durtal breaks off their relationship afterward.
Chapter 19
XX
Durtal and Des Hermies discuss the Black Mass and Canon Docre's inferiority to Gilles de Rais. They visit Carhaix's tower for dinner with Gévingey, who recounts his cure by Dr. Johannès and expounds the Johannite doctrine of the three kingdoms: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The conversation explores the coming of the Paraclete, the transformation of society, and the role of the papacy, with Durtal expressing skepticism about human perfectibility.
Chapter 20
XXI
Durtal reflects on the end of his affair with Mme. Chantelouve, who has finally stopped writing after a series of accusatory and reproachful letters. He dismisses her emotional appeals with cynical detachment, turning his attention back to his work on Gilles de Rais. His concierge Rateau interrupts with a comical tale of his elderly wife leaving him, and Durtal escapes to Des Hermies's home. There, the two engage in a lengthy discussion about Satanism, black and white magic, spiritism, and the supernatural, touching on the practices of Dr. Johannès, the astrologer Gévingey, and the dangers of dabbling in diabolism.
Chapter 21
XXII
Durtal, Des Hermies, Carhaix, and Gévingey discuss the decline of spirituality and the loss of medieval wisdom in modern France, contrasting the compassionate public reaction to Gilles de Rais's execution with contemporary society's vulgarity and obsession with figures like General Boulanger. The conversation touches on astrology, bell-ringing, Satanism, and the corruption of the Church, ending with a lament for the future.
Chapter 22
Endnotes
This chapter contains endnotes providing citations and references for the main text.
