Suspiria de Profundis · Chapter
III: Dream-Fugue: Founded on the Preceding Theme of Sudden Death explained
In a dream-like fugue, the narrator recounts visions of sudden death and resurrection, beginning with a summer scene on the ocean where an unknown lady on a pinnace disappears into the shadow of his ship.
What happens
In a dream-like fugue, the narrator recounts visions of sudden death and resurrection, beginning with a summer scene on the ocean where an unknown lady on a pinnace disappears into the shadow of his ship. A frigate chase ensues, followed by a vision of a girl drowning in quicksand, then a ride through a cathedral carrying the secret word 'Waterloo and Recovered Christendom.' The chapter culminates in a meeting with a baby girl, a dying trumpeter, and a resurrection scene where God's angel snatches the young girl from ruin, glorifying divine love.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Grief
The chapter explores the agony of sudden death, the horror of drowning, and the grief of loss in visions of war and disaster.
Dreams and the Subconscious
The entire chapter is a dream-fugue, blending subconscious visions of death, resurrection, and divine intervention.
Divine and Moral Order
God's angel intervenes to rescue the young girl, emphasizing divine love and the moral order of resurrection and redemption.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
The dreamer who experiences visions of sudden death, the pinnace lady, the frigate chase, and the ride through the cathedral.
- Madonna
The unknown lady from the dreadful vision, seen on the pinnace and later standing amidst the shrouds of the frigate.
- Girl Drowning in Quicksand
A young girl sinking in quicksand, rescued by God's angel in the vision.
- Jesus Christ
Referenced as the source of resurrection and life, and as God's angel who snatches the girl from ruin.
- Cyclops the Charioteer
Implied as the charioteer driving the narrator's equipage through the cathedral.
- The Noble Captain
Mentioned in the context of the frigate chase and the captain's role in the vision.
Key passages
“Passion of sudden death! that once in youth I read and interpreted by the shadows of thy averted signs!”
The intense emotion of sudden death, which I first understood in my youth through the obscure hints you gave.
The narrator reflects on his youthful encounter with the concept of sudden death.
“The dreadful word shone by its own light; before us it went; high above our leaders' heads it rode, and spread a golden light over the paths which we traversed.”
The secret word 'Waterloo' glowed with its own radiance, leading us and illuminating our journey.
The word 'Waterloo' is personified as a guiding, luminous force.
“Oh, baby! I exclaimed, shalt thou be the ransom for Waterloo?”
Oh, baby! I cried, must you be the sacrifice for the victory at Waterloo?
The narrator fears the baby girl might be a casualty of the war's aftermath.