# XXII explained — Là-Bas

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

## What happens

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.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Blasphemy

The characters contrast medieval faith with modern impiety, discuss Satanism's persistence, and lament the corruption of spiritual leaders.

### Decadence and Fin de Siècle

The conversation dwells on the decay of society, the loss of spiritual and artistic values, and the vulgarity of the contemporary crowd.

## Character check-ins

### Durtal

Narrates the story of Gilles de Rais's execution and the public's pity, and laments the spiritual decay of the age.

### Carhaix

Hosts the dinner, rings the angelus, and expresses faith in the coming of the Paraclete despite the world's corruption.

### Des Hermies

Criticizes modern society's stupidity and avarice, praises medieval piety, and discusses Paracelsus and occult medicine.

### Gévingey

Bitterly notes the neglect of astrology and the grand sciences of the Middle Ages, and laments the lack of faith and vocation.

### Mme. Carhaix

Serves the meal, offers conciliatory remarks, and is praised for her cooking.

## Key lines

> The people whose hearts he had lacerated wept with pity. They now saw in this demoniac noble only a poor man who lamented his crimes and was about to confront the Divine Wrath.

The crowd, previously horrified by Gilles de Rais's atrocities, felt compassion for him as a repentant sinner facing divine judgment.

_Durtal describes the medieval public's merciful reaction to the condemned marshal._

> To think that a century of positivism and atheism has been able to overthrow everything but Satanism, and it cannot make Satanism yield an inch.

Despite the rise of rationalism and disbelief, Satanism remains stubbornly persistent.

_Des Hermies marvels at the resilience of occult practices in a secular age._

> They will stuff their guts and crowd out their souls through their alimentary canals.

Future generations will be so focused on material consumption that they will lose all spiritual essence.

_Durtal's grim prediction about the offspring of modern tradesmen._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/l_bas_se/chapters