Death Comes for the Archbishop
Willa Cather's Most-Studied Novel with Southwestern Setting
Jul 7, 2008
Willa Cather often traveled to and felt spiritually drawn to the Southwest. Death Comes for the Archbishiop is her most studied work. Written in 1927, the novel is unique in its narrative presentation. The episodic story follows the life of Bishop Latour and his long-time friend Father Vaillant. The two priests are assigned to New Mexico territory, where their goal is to restore the Catholic faith and to instill civilizing values on a half-pagan world.
Inspiration for the Novel
Both art and history inspired Cather to write the novel. The title of the book was taken from a Holbein woodcut entitled The Dance of Death, which depicts the image of death coming for an archbishop. The story itself was based on the lives of Archbishop Jean Baptiste Lamy and Father Joseph Machebeuf, who came to reform the church after the territory was annexed by the United States in 1831. The book, filled with miracles and symbolism, is meant to be a seamless unfolding of events that shape and form the life of Bishop Latour and his connection to his faith and the land.
The Characters
The arduousness of Latour’s task begins when he must travel 3,000 miles through the desert to return for documentation after the local priests in Santa Fe refuse to recognize his authority. He gets lost in the desert, and this is one of many transforming experiences. He starts out a stranger in this new and alien land.
Each priest brings their own contribution to the mission. Latour is scholarly, disciplined and orderly, where his life-long friend Vaillant demonstrates a strong and enduring faith. As the priests work together to restore order, they encounter resistance by the local priests, some who have fallen prey to greed, laxness and corruption. They must face many conflicts between the traditions of the native people and the church.
Latour’s goal is to see a cathedral built in Santa Fe. At times, he becomes discouraged. Gradually, he comes to understand and respect the uniqueness of the land with its blend of pagan superstition and traditional religion. As the two priests attempt to transform the land, they are also transformed by their experience.
Parting of the Ways
After many years of working together, Valliant leaves for other important work in Colorado. Bishop Latour remains to finish the building of the cathedral. Bishop Latour remains, lonely and saddened by the thought that he and his good friend will never work together again.
Reflection
Latour dreams of going back to France, but in the end he retires to Santa Fe where he spends his last days gardening and tending his orchard. He reminisces about the past, and remembers how at the last minute Vaillant almost lost his nerve and how Latour had to encourage him to make the trip. Now Vaillant and most of his old companions are dead.
Bishop Latour’s last days are filled with reflection on the many changes he has seen come about since his arrival. He feels a sense of satisfaction that the cathedral has been built. He comes to realize that he has learned to love the new world more than the old. He now shares a connection to this new world. It is his home and he decides to die there. Finally at peace with his life and his decision to remain in this land he has helped create, his impending death seems not a sad parting, but another journey, a return to an even more sacred place.
Sources:
Twentieth Cenntury Literary Criticism
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