Disillusionment with Society

Where it surfaces

• Notice

  Des Esseintes is repulsed by the hypocrisy, triviality, and materialism of Parisian society, leading him to reject both aristocratic circles and literary cliques.

• Chapter II

  His hatred of Parisian society, self-made men, and the stupidity of tradesmen drives him to retreat and lock himself away with his books.

• Chapter III

  Des Esseintes' rejection of mainstream Latin literature and his retreat into obscure, decadent authors reflect his broader disillusionment.

• VI

  His scheme is motivated by a desire to create an enemy of society, reflecting his deep disillusionment.

• Chapter IX

  Des Esseintes' disdain for the common herd's appreciation of art reflects his broader disillusionment with society and its tastes.

• Chapter XI

  His vision of London as a 'terrible world of men of business' and a 'ruthless machine' reflects his disillusionment with modern society and its dehumanizing effects.

• XII

  Des Esseintes' retreat into his library and his disdain for ordinary life reflect his disillusionment with the outside world.

• Chapter XIII

  Des Esseintes condemns the hypocrisy of laws that both permit and punish birth control, and laments the cruelty of the struggle for existence, seeing no escape from misery for any class.

• XIV

  Des Esseintes shrinks from the realities of life and modern society, preferring books and pictures that avoid contemporary subjects.

• XVI

  Des Esseintes expresses profound disgust with bourgeois society, its mediocrity, corruption, and the decay of aristocracy, seeing no place for himself in it.

• Endnotes

  The quoted lines evoke a sense of lost innocence and the haunting nature of memory, aligning with the theme of societal disillusionment.