# To the Reader explained — The Golden Ass > Chapter companion for The Golden Ass by Apuleius. ## What happens William Adlington addresses the reader, explaining his purpose in translating Apuleius's 'The Golden Ass'. He acknowledges the work's seemingly frivolous and jesting nature but argues that beneath its surface lies a profound moral allegory: the transformation of Lucius into an ass represents the degradation of man through sensual lusts, and his restoration by eating a rose symbolizes the recovery of reason and virtue through prayer and self-knowledge. Adlington compares this to the stories of Ulysses' companions and Nebuchadnezzar, and encourages the reader to use the tale not merely for amusement but as a pattern to regenerate their minds from brutish customs. ## Themes in this chapter ### Transformation and Identity The entire preface centers on the allegorical interpretation of Lucius's physical transformation into an ass and his restoration to human form as a metaphor for moral and spiritual change. ### Folly and Wisdom Adlington contrasts the initial state of ignorance and brutishness (folly) with the attainment of reason and virtue (wisdom) through study and prayer. ### Religion and Redemption The restoration to human shape is linked to prayer and divine grace, with references to the prayers of Daniel and the mediation of prayer for attaining the 'sweet rose of reason and virtue'. ## Character check-ins ### Lucius The author and protagonist of the book, whose transformation into an ass and restoration to human form is the central allegory discussed. ### William Adlington The translator, who explains his motivations, challenges, and the moral interpretation of the work in this preface. ## Key lines > Verily under the wrap of this transformation is taxed the life of mortal men, when as we suffer our minds so to be drowned in the sensual lusts of the flesh, and the beastly pleasure thereof (which aptly may be called the violent confection of witches) that we lose wholly the use of reason and virtue, which properly should be in man, and play the parts of brute and savage beasts. Truly, beneath the surface of this transformation, the lives of mortal men are criticized: when we allow our minds to be overwhelmed by sensual desires and beastly pleasures (which can rightly be called the witches' powerful potion), we completely lose reason and virtue—which should define humanity—and behave like wild animals. _Adlington explicitly states the moral allegory of the story, equating the witch's potion with the loss of reason through lust._ > But as Lucius Apuleius was changed into his human shape by a rose, the companions of Ulysses by great intercession, and Nebuchadnezzar by the continual prayers of Daniel, whereby they knew themselves, and lived after a good and virtuous life: so can we never be restored to the right figure of ourselves, except we taste and eat the sweet rose of reason and virtue, which the rather by mediation of prayer we may assuredly attain. Just as Lucius was restored to human form by a rose, Ulysses' companions by earnest entreaty, and Nebuchadnezzar by Daniel's persistent prayers—through which they came to know themselves and lived virtuously—so too can we never be restored to our true selves unless we taste and consume the sweet rose of reason and virtue, which we can surely attain through the help of prayer. _Adlington draws parallels between classical myth, biblical story, and the novel to reinforce the theme of redemption through self-knowledge and divine aid._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters/to-the-reader - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_golden_ass_se/chapters