# Des Hermies — Là-Bas character guide > Des Hermies in Là-Bas by J.-K. Huysmans. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Monsieur Des Hermies, Monsieur des Hermies **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Durtal's physician friend, a caustic diagnostician of souls who reads his friend's spiritual disarray as neatly as a case of nerves. ## Who they are Des Hermies is the friend who tells Durtal the truth: that he execrates the age while the other realists worship it, and that Gilles de Rais was the escape hatch his exhausted talent needed. He moves through cafés and consulting rooms with the same dry precision, collecting the era's superstitions and maladies without ever quite catching the disease himself. He is Durtal's sounding board — and the novel's clearest-eyed witness to what is happening to him. ## Relationships ### [Durtal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/durtal) _friendship_ Des Hermies is Durtal's closest confidant and intellectual companion, sharing discussions on occultism and modern decadence. ### [Carhaix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/carhaix) _friendship_ Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore. ### [Gévingey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gevingey) _friendship_ Des Hermies and Gévingey share a camaraderie based on their mutual interest in astrology and the supernatural. ### [Canon Docre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/canon_docre) _rivalry_ Canon Docre and Des Hermies are intellectual and spiritual adversaries, representing opposing occult traditions. ### [Dr. Johannès](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/dr_johannes) _friendship_ Des Hermies and Dr. Johannès are allies in occult studies, with Johannès providing medical and alchemical insights. ### [Gilles de Rais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gilles_de_rais) _psychological_ Des Hermies is intellectually obsessed with Gilles de Rais, analyzing him as a historical monster and cautionary figure. ### [Durtal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/durtal) _friendship_ Des Hermies is Durtal's closest confidant and intellectual companion, sharing discussions on occultism and modern decadence. ### [Durtal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/durtal) _friendship_ Des Hermies is Durtal's closest confidant and intellectual companion, sharing discussions on occultism and modern decadence. ### [Carhaix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/carhaix) _friendship_ Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore. ### [Gilles de Rais](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gilles_de_rais) _psychological_ Des Hermies is intellectually obsessed with Gilles de Rais, analyzing him as a historical monster and cautionary figure. ### [Carhaix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/carhaix) _friendship_ Carhaix and Des Hermies are linked through their mutual friendship with Durtal and shared interest in the occult and medieval lore. ### [Gévingey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/gevingey) _friendship_ Des Hermies and Gévingey share a camaraderie based on their mutual interest in astrology and the supernatural. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/i) Vigorously criticizes naturalism as materialistic and superficial, praising instead the supernatural and the artistic vision of the Primitives. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/ii) Portrayed as a fastidious, erudite friend who diagnoses Durtal's spiritual state and introduces him to Carhaix. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/iii) Visits Durtal and discusses dust and bells, then accompanies him to see Carhaix. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/iv) Argues for the continuity of Satanism from the Middle Ages to the present and links it to sacrilegious priests. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/v) Leads the exposition on Satanism, citing historical and contemporary examples, including Canon Docre and the Re-Theurgistes-Optimates. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/vi) Referenced as a source of information about demon-worshipping societies and alchemical furnaces. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as the one to whom Mme Chantelouve spoke about Durtal's books, sparking Durtal's suspicion. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/viii) Des Hermies's suggestion that the unknown woman is Madame Chantelouve sparks Durtal's shift in focus. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/ix) Engages in the discussion, questions Gévingey about the mechanics of incubi, and comments on hypnotism and Canon Docre's abilities. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xv) Des Hermies is mentioned as having remarked on the motives of Satanists, and as someone who knows of Docre only by hearsay. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xvi) Visits Durtal, informs him of Carhaix's illness, and discusses the literary world. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as Carhaix's doctor who brings him medicine and as a source of information about bewitchment. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xviii) Visits Durtal, announces Gévingey's return and a dinner at Carhaix's, and discusses the history of Black Masses. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xx) Critiques Canon Docre's Black Mass, joins dinner, debates theology. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxi) Visits Durtal and discusses Satanism, black magic, and the occult, sharing anecdotes about Dr. Johannès and the dangers of diabolism. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/chapters/xxii) Criticizes modern society's stupidity and avarice, praises medieval piety, and discusses Paracelsus and occult medicine. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters/des_hermies - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/l_bas_se/characters