The Inferno · Chapter
Whither? explained
Six months later, the narrator reflects on his daily walks along the city wall, observing the asylum and the sea, while a pervasive sense of dread and expectation grips the populace.
What happens
Six months later, the narrator reflects on his daily walks along the city wall, observing the asylum and the sea, while a pervasive sense of dread and expectation grips the populace. He counsels a young man troubled by an invisible presence in his bedroom, hinting at a spiritual solution. The narrator contemplates his own path back to Catholicism, influenced by Swedenborg, his daughter's conversion, his stay at St. Louis Hospital, and recent events. He resolves to seek a post as an attendant in a Catholic hospital, and a series of coincidences and readings—including Sar Peladan's work—confirm his direction. He begins writing this book on May 3rd, and by late May, a friend's conversion and a letter to a Belgian convent signal his impending return to the Mother Church.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Spiritual Crisis
The narrator's journey from doubt to a return to Catholicism, framed as a response to personal suffering and societal expectation.
The Invisible and the Occult
The young man's encounter with an invisible presence in his bedroom, and the narrator's own wrestling with the invisible, highlight the occult underpinnings of the narrative.
Guilt and Redemption
The narrator's decision to seek a post as a hospital attendant as a form of self-imposed penance and torture reflects a desire for redemption through suffering.
Suffering and Punishment
The narrator views his life as a punishment and resolves to embrace suffering, dirt, and death-agonies as a means of anticipating his executioner.
Characters to notice
- August Strindberg
The narrator, reflecting on his spiritual journey and daily life in Lund.
- Swedenborg
Cited as teaching that it is unlawful to quit the religion of one's ancestors, influencing the narrator's view of Protestantism.
- Sar Peladan
His work 'Comment on devient un Mage' is read by the narrator, who sees him as a revelation of the higher man and a herald of Catholicism.
- The Dane
Jorgensen, a convert to Catholicism, is mentioned in connection with the Beuron convent.
- Dante
The narrator compares his life to being whirled like the damned in Dante's hell.
- Nietzsche
Referenced indirectly through the concept of the Superman, which Sar Peladan embodies.
Key passages
“The general sleeplessness increases, nervous breakdowns are common, apparitions are matters of every day, and real miracles happen.”
Insomnia and nervous disorders are widespread, ghosts are routine, and genuine miracles occur.
Describes the societal atmosphere of anxiety and supernatural phenomena.
“Occultism has played its part, by giving a scientific explanation of miracles and demonology.”
Occultism has contributed by providing a scientific rationale for miracles and demonic activity.
The narrator's view on the role of occultism in bridging science and spirituality.
“I determined to anticipate my executioner, and take in hand my own torture.”
I decided to preempt my punisher and inflict suffering on myself.
Expresses the narrator's resolve to embrace self-punishment as a form of penance.
“Sar Peladan, hitherto unknown to me, overcomes me like a storm, a revelation of the higher man, Nietzsche’s Superman, and with him Catholicism makes its solemn and victorious entry into my life.”
Sar Peladan, previously unfamiliar to me, overwhelms me like a storm, revealing the higher man—Nietzsche's Superman—and through him, Catholicism triumphantly enters my life.
Highlights the impact of Sar Peladan's work on the narrator's conversion.
