The Collected Works of Henry James, Vol. 27 (of 36): The Altar of the Dead; The Author of Beltraffio - Couverture souple

James, Henry

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 1662714440 ISBN 13 : 9781662714443

Editeur : Bookland Classics, 2020

Synopsis

"The Altar of the Dead" is a short story by Henry James, first published in his collection Terminations in 1895. A fable of literally life and death significance, the story explores how the protagonist tries to keep the remembrance of his dead friends, to save them from being forgotten entirely in the rush of everyday events. He meets a woman who shares his ideals, only to find that the past places what seems to be an impassable barrier between them. Although James was not religious in any conventional sense, the story shows a deep spirituality in its treatment of mortality and the transcendent power of unselfish love.


Aging George Stransom holds sacred the memory of the great love of his life, Mary Antrim, who died before they could be married. One day Stransom happens to read of the death of Acton Hague, a former friend who had done him a terrible harm. Stransom starts to dwell on the many friends and acquaintances he is now losing to death. He begins to light candles at a side altar in a Catholic church, one for each of his Dead, except Hague.


Later he notices a woman who regularly appears at the church and sits before his altar. He intuitively understands that she too honours her Dead, and they very gradually become friends. However Stransom later discovers that her Dead number only one: Acton Hague. Hague had wronged her too, but she has forgiven him. When his friend realises Stransom's feelings about Hague, she declares that she can no longer honour Hague at Stransom's altar. Stransom cannot bring himself to resolve the issue by forgiving Hague and adding a candle for him. This disagreement drives the two friends apart. Stransom's friend ceases iting the altar, and Stransom himself can find no peace there.


Months later, Stransom, now dying, its his altar one last time.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Bookland Classics
• Date d'édition: 2020
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 1662714440
• ISBN 13: 9781662714443
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 132
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Lightning Source LLC; lsicustomersupport@ingramcontent.com; ; Heil Quaker Blvd 1246; Lavergne; Tennessee; 37086; Etats-Unis
• Personne responsable: Buchpark GmbH; gpsr@buchpark.de; ; Krügerweg 1; Trebbin; Brandenburg; 14959; Allemagne