# Nature and Human Folly in The Line of Love

> Theme guide for The Line of Love by James Branch Cabell.

Nature is depicted as a tireless, trickster force that uses love and desire to perpetuate the species, while humans are often foolish, self-deceiving, and caught in ironic circumstances.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Epistle Dedicatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_line_of_love_se/chapters/the-epistle-dedicatory): Nature is described as an 'arch-trickster' who uses love to trick humanity into enduring, while humans foolishly dismiss love's significance.
- [The Episode Called in Necessity's Mortar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_line_of_love_se/chapters/v-the-episode-called-in-necessity-s-mortar): The natural setting contrasts with human moral decay, as François's noble sacrifice is rooted in his flawed humanity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_line_of_love_se/themes/nature_and_human_folly
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_line_of_love_se/themes