DiotimosReading Desk

Objects

High altar turned patriotic altar

maître-autel; autel de la patrie

The former Barnabite high altar becomes an altar of the fatherland on which Gamelin swears to suppress human weakness in humanity’s name.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Meaning

Paired phrases.

The former Barnabite high altar becomes an altar of the fatherland on which Gamelin swears to suppress human weakness in humanity’s name. The material object survives while the consecrated authority changes. The phrase makes political commitment take the form of religious ritual rather than simply replacing ritual with neutral procedure.

Places to read

  1. Chapter IX, paragraph 17Frenchle vieux maître-autel des Barnabites: The old Barnabite high altar. Its earlier religious function remains named.
  2. Chapter IX, paragraph 17Frenchtransformé en autel de la patrie: Turned into an altar of the fatherland. The new object of consecration governs the oath.