The Altar Of The Dead
"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.
Read more about The Altar Of The Dead: Plot Summary, Key Themes, Critical Evaluation, Adaptations
Famous quotes containing the words altar and/or dead:
“My generation, dear Ron, swore on the Altar of God that whoever proclaims the intent of destroying the Jewish state or the Jewish people, or both, seals his fate.”
—Menachem Begin (1913–1992)
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—Bible: New Testament St. John the Divine, in Revelation, 20:12.