THE INTRUSION
by Douglas Messerli
Julien Gracq Au Château d'Argol (Paris:
José Corti, 1938), translated from the French by Louise Varèse as The Castle
of Argol (Norfolk, Connecticut: J. Laughlin, 1951); reprinted by (Venice,
California: The Lapis Press, 1991)
Described by its author as a fiction using
obvious literary references (Wagner, Nietzsche, Poe and others) around the
belief that the redeemer-savior is often also the destroyer, Gracq's work is,
on another level, a highly romantic homoerotic tale. A young man of great
wealth and intelligence, Albert, purchases a castle and the surrounding
landscape. He moves into Argol and immediately perceives the mystery and magic
of its surroundings, particularly the nearby forest of Storrvan, a threatening
overgrowth of towering trees. Suddenly he receives a message that his dear
friend and soul-mate Herminien is planning a visit—along with a stranger named
Heide. Herminien and Albert, who have roomed together as students, see
themselves as almost twins, each able to intellectually stimulate each other
beyond the range of all others, and each able to read one another's deepest
thoughts.
As
Albert prepares for their arrival, he visits the nearby desolate seashore,
discovering there a graveyard. On the surface of one tombstone he inscribes the
name of the strange visitor: Heide. Clearly, Heide is already an intruder; but
upon her arrival he is mesmerized by her beauty and intelligence. Over the next
months, a deep relationship develops between the two, galling Herminien and
inspiring his festering hatred. He recognizes that he has brought Heide to
Albert for his friend's tacit approval and enable him to share his love for
Heide. But Albert also seems strangely aloof and cold with regard to Heide's
sexuality.
One
afternoon Heide and Herminien sneak away into the forest, failing to return by
sunset. Intrigued and almost hypnotized by their disappearance and the forest
itself, Albert follows them into the dark woods, only to discover the body of
Heide, brutally raped by his friend. He takes her to the castle and nurses her
back to health. A long time later, they both follow a cleared path through the
forest and discover the body of Herminien, who has been thrown by his horse. He
too is returned to the castle and restored, but a new hatred develops in Albert
regarding him. Heide remains secluded in her room, obviously unable to face
either of them, while Herminien and Albert return to their conversations. Heide
commits suicide, and they bury her in the seaside graveyard. Herminien
determines to leave, but Albert follows him into the wood, putting a dagger
into his side.
This
is a brilliantly abstract and hallucinatory tale.
Los Angeles, July 12, 2005
