Sartor Resartus · Chapter
Pedagogy explained
This chapter explores Teufelsdröckh's university years, detailing his struggles with poverty, isolation, and a flawed educational system.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Society and Materialism
Teufelsdröckh and Towgood condemn the era's mis-education and societal emptiness, comparing spiritual union to mere eating together.
The Nature of Work and Duty
Teufelsdröckh's struggle with poverty and the lack of practical guidance underscores the theme of finding meaningful work and purpose.
The Heroic and Individual Self
Teufelsdröckh's sense of being 'like no other' and his poetic elevation amid civic depression highlight his unique, heroic individuality.
Characters to notice
- Diogenes Teufelsdröckh
Reflects on his university and Gymnasium years, feeling orphaned and unique, and grappling with poverty and mis-education.
- Herr Towgood
Forms a friendship with Teufelsdröckh, sharing critiques of education and society; described as warmhearted but ill-cultivated.
- Andreas Futteral
Mentioned as Father Andreas, accompanying young Teufelsdröckh to the Hinterschlag Gymnasium.
- Gretchen Futteral
The good Gretchen who sent Teufelsdröckh to university but later had to withdraw her support.
- Gneschen
Referenced as the youthful self of Teufelsdröckh, experiencing the hardships of school.
- Old Lieschen
Mentioned in passing as part of the domestic background of Teufelsdröckh's childhood.
Key passages
“a liberal measure of Earthly distresses, want of practical guidance, want of sympathy, want of money, want of hope; and all this in the fervid season of youth, so exaggerated in imagining, so boundless in desires, yet here so poor in means”
Teufelsdröckh suffered from a great deal of worldly troubles: lack of direction, sympathy, money, and hope, all during the intense period of youth when imagination and desires are vast but resources are scarce.
Describes Teufelsdröckh's impoverished and isolated state at university.
“How has our head on the outside a polished Hat, and in the inside Vacancy, or a froth of Vocables and Attorney-Logic!”
Towgood laments that despite a polished exterior, their minds are empty or filled with meaningless words and legalistic reasoning.
Critique of superficial education and lack of true knowledge.
“If man's Soul is indeed, as in the Finnish Language, and Utilitarian Philosophy, a kind of Stomach, what else is the true meaning of Spiritual Union but an Eating together?”
If the soul is merely a stomach, as some philosophies suggest, then spiritual connection is reduced to sharing a meal.
Teufelsdröckh's cynical reflection on friendship and materialism.
“Thus was I doubly orphaned; bereft not only of Possession, but even of Remembrance.”
Teufelsdröckh felt orphaned twice: he lost not only material inheritance but also any memory of his origins.
Reveals his sense of isolation and lack of identity.
“I was like no other; in which fixed-idea, leading sometimes to highest, and oftener to frightfullest results, may there not lie the first spring of Tendencies, which in my Life have become remarkable enough?”
Teufelsdröckh believed he was unique, a notion that led to both great achievements and terrible outcomes, and may have been the origin of his notable life tendencies.
Highlights his sense of exceptionalism and its consequences.
