Chapter Ten of "hell" by Heni Barbusse

Sarah Roques

English 204

Chapter Ten of "Hell" by Heni Barbusse

A strong theme throughout chapter ten of Henri Barbusse's "Hell," is self-destruction. This chapter is set in the neighboring room to the narrator's. Two doctors are discussing Philippe's health, and as they discuss they move into more revolutionary thoughts. Both agree that Philippe is in a bad state, and death draws nearer to him every passing second. They begin to speak of the science of Philippe' malady, cancer. They speak of how the disease seemingly chooses where it will strike, so as to kill it's host. The also refer to the cancer as a "parasite." It seems very evident that Barbusse is weaving an image of cancer as a illustration of the "Patriotism and Property" theory the doctors give. The two agree that Patriotism and Property are banes upon society which cause the sickness of the world. The younger doctor avidly presses the older doctor with the fervor of youth, to advocate this theory publicly. The older doctor refuses, saying that he has publicly stood for Patriotism and Property for too long to suddenly jump to the opposing side. It seems as if Barbusse is using these two men to stand for different groups in the population. The younger, more revolutionary populace, who wish to rush into changing the whole of humanity with an extremely idealistic theory. The older is more paced, in fact to slow to action. While the older doctor recognizes the need for change, tradition wills him to stay the course of the current destructive path of society. The two are extremes