Sartor Resartus · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Sartor Resartus by Thomas Carlyle.
Chapter 1
Book I
The Editor introduces the mysterious figure of Diogenes Teufelsdröckh and his philosophical work, 'Sartor Resartus,' which explores the philosophy of clothes. The Editor describes his initial confusion and eventual fascination with Teufelsdröckh's ideas, and receives biographical documents from Hofrath Heuschrecke to help understand the philosopher's life.
Chapter 2
I: Preliminary
The Editor introduces the surprising lack of a fundamental philosophy of clothes, despite the advanced state of science and culture. He praises German thought for taking up this neglected subject, specifically through the new book 'Clothes, their Origin and Influence' by Professor Teufelsdröckh of Weissnichtwo, and reflects on the Editor's own role in bringing this work to an English audience.
Chapter 3
II: Editorial Difficulties
The Editor describes the arrival of Professor Teufelsdröckh's book on the Philosophy of Clothes, an extensive and formless volume that reveals a new branch of philosophy and a unique human individuality. Facing difficulties in publishing the work in existing journals due to its controversial nature and lack of biographical documents, the Editor is at an impasse until a letter from Herr Hofrath Heuschrecke offers to supply the necessary documents for a biography. This crystallizes the Editor's plan to produce 'Sartor Resartus', a work intended to defend ancestral institutions against innovation while presenting the philosophy and life of Teufelsdröckh.
Chapter 4
III: Reminiscences
The Editor reflects on his acquaintance with Professor Teufelsdröckh, describing his quiet, self-contained life in Weissnichtwo, his unexpected publication on clothes, and his enigmatic character. He recalls Teufelsdröckh's toast to 'The Cause of the Poor' at the Grüne Gans coffeehouse, and notes the difficulty of gathering biographical data about him, as he remains a mysterious figure with no known parentage or history.
Chapter 5
IV: Characteristics
The Editor offers a critical yet appreciative assessment of Teufelsdröckh's work on clothes, acknowledging its genius alongside its flaws—prolixity, lack of arrangement, and rustic style. He reflects on Teufelsdröckh's unique perspective, his transcendental philosophy, and his enigmatic character, culminating in a rare anecdote of the Professor's laughter at a remark by Jean Paul.
Chapter 6
The World in Clothes
Teufelsdröckh proposes a 'Spirit of Clothes' analogous to Montesquieu's 'Spirit of Laws,' arguing that clothing reflects an architectural idea and spiritual idiosyncrasies. He surveys the history of costume from primitive ornament to modern dress, asserting that clothes gave humanity individuality, social polity, and modesty. The chapter also defines man as a 'Tool-using Animal,' linking tools—including clothes—to human progress and power.
Chapter 7
VI: Aprons
The Editor critiques Teufelsdröckh's section on Aprons, finding it unsatisfactory, marked by idle speculation and levity. Teufelsdröckh expounds on the symbolic and practical uses of aprons, from the Persian Blacksmith's apron to the Episcopal cassock, and digresses into the role of printed paper aprons and journalism as modern kingship. The Editor notes a significant blunder where Teufelsdröckh confuses the Presbyterian Witchfinder with an imaginary historian of British journalism.
Chapter 8
Miscellaneous-Historical
The Professor delves into the history of European costume from the Middle Ages through the seventeenth century, describing extravagant fashions and their social implications. He reflects on the transience of fame and the law of progress, using vivid examples such as peaked shoes, bell-girdles, and the mishap of a courtier whose bran-stuffed breeches burst. The chapter concludes with a stark contrast: the simple blanket-uniform of Bolivar's cavalry.
Chapter 9
VIII: The World Out of Clothes
Teufelsdröckh delves into the speculative-philosophical portion of his work, exploring the moral, political, and religious influences of clothes. He argues that society is founded upon cloth and that man's earthly interests are all held together by clothes. The chapter includes a profound meditation on identity, the nature of reality, and the human condition, contrasting the natural state of animals with the artificial coverings of humans. Teufelsdröckh reflects on the dream-like quality of life and the hidden spiritual truths behind material appearances.
Chapter 10
IX: Adamitism
The Editor defends Teufelsdröckh against accusations of being an Adamite or enemy to clothes, explaining that the Professor recognizes both the utility and symbolic power of clothing. Teufelsdröckh illustrates how clothes serve as visible emblems of social bonds and authority, imagining a scenario where clothes vanish from a royal ceremony, dissolving government and society into chaos. He argues that society is founded upon cloth, and that clothing confers power and identity, as seen in the judge's robe or the scarecrow's coat.
Chapter 11
Pure Reason
In this chapter, the Editor explores Teufelsdröckh's speculative radicalism and his dual perspective of Descendentalism and Transcendentalism. Teufelsdröckh argues that clothes are mere symbols, that true wisdom lies in looking through them to the man within, and that wonder and reverence are essential to genuine thought. He critiques the mechanical, logic-chopping science of his age, exalting the mystical and spiritual dimension of human existence.
Chapter 12
Prospective
The Editor reflects on the chaotic nature of Teufelsdröckh's autobiographical materials, which arrive as six sealed paper bags filled with miscellaneous, disorganized fragments. Despite the difficulty, the Editor resolves to piece together a coherent biography, seeing in the Clothes-Philosophy the potential to reveal a new era in history.
Chapter 13
Book II
The Editor continues to piece together Teufelsdröckh's biography, delving into his childhood in Entepfuhl, his education at Hinterschlag Gymnasium, his university studies, and his first love with Blumine. The narrative explores Teufelsdröckh's spiritual crises and his philosophical development, culminating in his experiences of the Everlasting No and the Everlasting Yea.
Chapter 14
I: Genesis
The chapter introduces the obscure origins of Diogenes Teufelsdröckh, who was mysteriously delivered as an infant to Andreas and Gretchen Futteral in the village of Entepfuhl. The Editor struggles to piece together Teufelsdröckh's genealogy from scattered papers, noting the enigmatic arrival of a stranger who left the child with a green veil and the name Diogenes Teufelsdröckh. The chapter reflects on the significance of names and beginnings, as the infant Gneschen begins his journey of growth and discovery.
Chapter 15
II: Idyllic
The chapter presents Teufelsdröckh's nostalgic and poetic recollection of his childhood in Entepfuhl, emphasizing the innocence, wonder, and formative experiences of early life. He describes his simple pleasures, the influence of his father Andreas's tales, the communal life under the Linden tree, and the educational value of village events like the Cattle-fair. Despite the idyllic tone, he acknowledges an emerging 'ring of Care' that foreshadows future struggles.
Chapter 16
Pedagogy
This chapter explores Teufelsdröckh's university years, detailing his struggles with poverty, isolation, and a flawed educational system. It introduces his friendship with Herr Towgood, their shared disillusionment with the era's mis-education, and Teufelsdröckh's growing sense of being orphaned and unique. The narrative also reflects on his earlier Gymnasium experiences, marked by persecution and mechanical learning, and hints at the origins of his Clothes-Philosophy.
Chapter 17
Getting Under Way
Teufelsdröckh reflects on the challenges of finding one's true vocation after leaving university. He describes the difficulty of discovering one's inward and outward capabilities, the necessity of hunger in forcing a choice, and his own rejection of a prescribed legal profession. He finds himself adrift in a world that offers no clear guidance, struggling with both external obstacles and internal confusion, as he begins his solitary journey toward self-realization.
Chapter 18
V: Romance
Teufelsdröckh falls deeply in love with Blumine, experiencing a transcendent but ultimately doomed romance. Their relationship, marked by intense passion and spiritual connection, ends abruptly when Blumine decides to marry a richer man, plunging Teufelsdröckh into despair and setting the stage for his later spiritual crises.
Chapter 19
Sorrows of Teufelsdröckh
After the loss of Blumine, Teufelsdröckh does not succumb to madness or despair but instead quietly takes up his pilgrim's staff and begins wandering the world. The chapter explores his internal turmoil, concealed beneath a stoic exterior, and his reflections on nature, solitude, and the human condition as he travels through mountains and valleys, seeking healing but finding only a deeper confrontation with his own soul.
Chapter 20
VII: The Everlasting No
Teufelsdröckh, in a state of spiritual crisis and despair, recounts his loss of faith, his sense of isolation, and his struggle with unbelief. He describes a world devoid of purpose, where he feels crushed by a mechanical universe, yet still clings to a sense of duty and truth. The chapter culminates in his defiant 'Everlasting No'—a rejection of despair and a declaration of resistance against the forces of negation.
Chapter 21
Centre of Indifference
Teufelsdröckh reflects on the value of books as spiritual cities, witnesses the battlefield of Wagram, and describes war's futility and nature's renewal. He recounts reaching a 'Centre of Indifference' after spiritual trials, encounters a Russian smuggler at the North Cape, and discusses great men as inspired texts, including his meeting with Schiller and Goethe and his varied relation to Napoleon.
Chapter 22
IX: The Everlasting Yea
Teufelsdröckh describes his spiritual transformation from despair to affirmation, emphasizing the necessity of work, the rejection of self-centered happiness, and the discovery of the divine in the universe. He recounts his 'Temptation in the Wilderness,' the overcoming of doubt and denial, and the embrace of a heroic, productive life.
Chapter 23
X: Pause
The Editor pauses to reflect on Teufelsdröckh's spiritual and intellectual journey, noting his conversion and newfound calling as a writer. The chapter summarizes Teufelsdröckh's progression through growth, entanglement, unbelief, and conversion into a clearer state of moral development, where he embraces his role as a thinker and writer, finding tools in his own brain and pen. The Editor also hints at Teufelsdröckh's possible involvement in a mysterious 'Society for the Conservation of Property.'
Chapter 24
Book III
The Editor continues to compile and comment on Teufelsdröckh's philosophical treatise, delving into themes of spiritual crisis, the nature of work, and the critique of societal materialism. Teufelsdröckh's journey through despair and his eventual embrace of a new faith in action and duty are central, as he moves from the Everlasting No to the Everlasting Yea.
Chapter 25
Incident in Modern History
The Editor introduces Teufelsdröckh's Clothes-Volume and his philosophy that all sensible phenomena are merely 'Raiment' for a celestial Essence. The chapter focuses on Teufelsdröckh's remarkable claim that the most significant incident in modern history is George Fox making himself a suit of leather. Fox, a shoemaker and founder of the Quakers, is portrayed as a prophet who, through silent agony and spiritual struggle, rejected worldly vanities and the Mammon-god to achieve true freedom. The Editor reflects on the absurdity and deeper intention of recommending such a 'perennial suit' to modern society, questioning whether Teufelsdröckh is serious or satirical.
Chapter 26
II: Church-Clothes
Teufelsdröckh defines Church-Clothes as the forms and vestures through which humanity embodies the Religious Principle, arguing they are essential to society. He laments that in the modern era these garments have become hollow masks, with religion withdrawing to weave new vestures, and hints at a forthcoming volume on the rebirth of society.
Chapter 27
Symbols
The Editor attempts to distill Teufelsdröckh's complex theories on Symbols, exploring how they conceal and reveal the Infinite, the role of Silence and Secrecy in creation, the distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic symbolic value, and the highest symbols found in art, heroic lives, and religion, particularly Christianity.
Chapter 28
IV: Helotage
The Editor examines marginal notes by Teufelsdröckh on Heuschrecke's Malthusian tract, 'Institute for the Repression of Population.' Teufelsdröckh contrasts the dignity of labor with the spiritual impoverishment of the poor, lamenting that while the body toils, the soul is left ignorant and stunted. He satirically proposes a violent 'hunt' of paupers, then pivots to honor the toil-worn craftsman and the spiritual seeker, ultimately celebrating the rare 'Peasant Saint' who unites outward labor with inward light.
Chapter 29
The Phoenix
Teufelsdröckh argues that society is effectively dead, its religious and social fabric torn, and that a process of destruction and rebirth is underway. He critiques materialism, utilitarianism, and the loss of true social bonds, while suggesting that from the ashes of the old order a new, living society may emerge, like the Phoenix.
Chapter 30
VI: Old Clothes
Teufelsdröckh reflects on the spiritual and symbolic significance of old clothes, describing his visits to Monmouth Street in London as a form of worship. He argues that empty garments, purged of human vice and passion, deserve reverence as pure emblems of humanity. The chapter also explores his philosophy of universal courtesy, asserting that every human body is a temple and that true politeness should be extended to all, regardless of wealth or birth.
Chapter 31
VII: Organic Filaments
Teufelsdröckh explores the interconnectedness of humanity across generations, describing how thoughts, traditions, and institutions form 'organic filaments' that weave the past, present, and future together. He reflects on the gradual nature of change, the unity of mankind through sympathy and necessity, and the role of hero-worship as a cornerstone of politics. The Editor struggles to comprehend Teufelsdröckh's radical political views, which challenge conventional notions of freedom, representation, and obedience.
Chapter 32
Natural Supernaturalism
In this chapter, the Professor achieves a transcendental vision by piercing through the illusions of Time and Space, revealing the universe as a spiritual phenomenon where miracles are natural and all existence is a divine apparition.
Chapter 33
IX: Circumspective
The Editor reflects on the journey through Teufelsdröckh's Clothes-Philosophy, addressing the bewildered British reader and asserting that all symbols and forms are essentially clothes. He introduces the concepts of Dandies and Tailors as 'Cloth-animals' and hints at the coming discussion of these social types, while defending the profound, wonder-based value of the philosophy despite its apparent lack of practical use.
Chapter 34
X: The Dandiacal Body
The Editor presents Teufelsdröckh's analysis of the Dandy as a Clothes-wearing Man whose entire existence is devoted to the wearing of clothes, treating this as a religious sect. The Professor contrasts the Dandiacal Body with the Drudge or Poor-Slaves Sect in Britain and Ireland, satirizing both as extreme manifestations of society's materialism and spiritual emptiness.
Chapter 35
XI: Tailors
The chapter concludes the discussion of the Clothes-Philosophy by turning to Tailors, whom Teufelsdröckh defends as full men and even creators or divinities. He laments the historical contempt for tailors, argues for their true dignity, and links their craft to the fabric of society itself. The chapter ends with Teufelsdröckh's reflection on the origin of his work on clothes.
Chapter 36
XII: Farewell
The Editor concludes his work on Teufelsdröckh's Clothes-Volume, reflecting on the Professor's enigmatic nature, his departure from Weissnichtwo, and the possibility that he has gone to London. The Editor bids farewell to his readers and to the figure of Teufelsdröckh, acknowledging the strange and often frustrating journey they have shared.
Chapter 37
Appendix
The Appendix provides supplementary material, likely including additional documents, clarifications, or editorial notes that support the main text of Sartor Resartus.
Chapter 38
Author's Note of 1868
The author explains the delayed publication of the book, written in 1831 but not appearing as a volume until 1838, having first been serialized in a magazine. He reprints the original 'Testimonies of Authors' to clarify the work's history and chronology.
Chapter 39
Testimonies of Authors
This chapter collects various critical and editorial responses to the publication of Sartor Resartus, including a bookseller's taster report, a newspaper critique, a North-American Review article questioning the existence of Teufelsdröckh and Heuschrecke, and prefaces from New England editors defending the work's style and substance.
Chapter 40
Endnotes
The chapter consists of endnotes that provide editorial commentary and references, including a note on Teufelsdröckh's continued use of a mask or feigned name, an explanation that 'Gukguk' is an academical beer, a reference to George IV, and a citation to Fraser's Magazine from 1833-4.
