# Là-Bas — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Là-Bas by J.-K. Huysmans.

- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/i.md): 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 
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/ii.md): 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 spiritu
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/iii.md): 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 
- [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/iv.md): 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
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/v.md): 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 Middl
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/vi.md): 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
- [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/vii.md): 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
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/viii.md): 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 moderni
- [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/ix.md): 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 Durta
- [The Visit](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/x.md): 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 h
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xi.md): 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 in
- [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xii.md): 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. T
- [XIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xiii.md): 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 
- [XV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xv.md): 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 discourag
- [XVI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xvi.md): 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, 
- [XVII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xvii.md): 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, r
- [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xviii.md): 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 Sat
- [XIX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xix.md): 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 invol
- [XX](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xx.md): 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 doctrin
- [XXI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxi.md): 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 hi
- [XXII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxii.md): 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 contempora
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter contains endnotes providing citations and references for the main text.

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