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Book 4: Stone Lips
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Death Comes for the Archbishop, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Spirituality vs. the Material World
Friendship and Compromise
Humanity’s Relationship with Nature
Colonialism, Industry, and Loss
Memory, Death, and Afterlives
Summary
Analysis
Finally, it is time for Latour and Vaillant to attend to the parish at Taos. The people of Taos were the most distrusting of Europeans, and it was widely believed that the priest there, Antonio Jose Martínez, was responsible for the most recent revolt in the region. Worse still, when seven indigenous men were hanged for this revolt, Martínez claimed their farms for himself, making himself the richest man in the district. Still, Latour feels that “the day of lawless personal power was almost over, even on the frontier.”
This is another important point where Cather’s narrative clashes with the historical record. Though Latour and Vaillant demonize Martínez as exploitative, many scholars believe that Martínez actually worked to democratize the church; in fact, some argue that he only resisted Latour because he feared Latour’s hierarchical, elitist views. Either way, the conflict between these two men represents the end of an era: Martínez’s rugged landscapes are being developed, and Latour’s brand of order is sweeping the country.
Themes
A group of 100 men, both indigenous and Mexican, have come to greet Vaillant and Latour. Latour is surprised by the theatrics of the people here; though the lavish shows of respect would have felt distasteful back in Europe, here, they seem of a piece with the landscape. When one awkward teenager does not kneel to the visiting priests, Martínez hits him, explaining that the boy is his own child. Latour does not betray his surprise at this fact.
One of the most important priestly values for both Latour and Vaillant is celibacy; to the old friends, abstaining from sex is one of the quickest ways to shift from thoughts of “the flesh” to thoughts of “the spirit.” The fact that Martínez has a son (and that he is unapologetic about that fact), thus shows just how radically different his understanding of his job is.
Themes
The men then go into Martínez’s home, where a man in religious clothing is asleep. Martínez explains that this is Trinidad; Trinidad is the nephew of Father Lucero, a priest in the neighboring village of Arroyo Hondo. Despite the many serving women, the house is still dirty. Latour is disgusted, and his distaste only worsens when Trinidad wolfs his food and flirts with the servant girls.
Both aesthetically and morally, Latour loves modesty, cleanliness, and simplicity. Martínez’s dirty surroundings therefore testify, in Latour’s mind, to the priest’s greedy and irresponsible habits.
Themes
Over dinner, Latour asks Martínez if he considers celibacy to be an essential part of priesthood. Martínez argues that St. Augustine himself would say that celibacy is unimportant. Latour challenges this idea, informing Martínez that no priest in his diocese will be allowed to flaunt the vows in such a way. Martínez just laughs, replying that “we have a living church here […] our religion grew out of the soil, and has its own roots.”
Although Latour and Martínez disagree on many things, both of them use plant imagery to describe religion. This similarity is telling: both priests believe that religion is something “living,” “growing” and changing every year as it evolves away from its original form. Indeed, the present-day Catholic church of New Mexico speaks about its values similarly, acknowledging that faith will always show up differently in new landscapes with distinct histories.
Themes
Literary Devices
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When Latour stands firm, Martínez threatens to start his own church; he is confident that Latour knows nothing about the people he claims to govern. Latour then complains about Trinidad’s poor behavior, but Martínez only scoffs that Trinidad becomes a different person during Passion Week—during these times, he carries crosses to the highest places, scourging himself with cactus spines.
Like Martínez, Trinidad likes to pick and choose certain elements of doctrine to pay attention to. So while Martínez crafts his version of Catholicism from the works of famous fourth-century scholar Augustine of Hippo, Trinidad focuses on the parts of faith that emphasize martyrdom and bodily pain.
Themes
The next day, Latour attends High Mass, and he finds the Taos church in good condition; he also has to acknowledge Martínez’s lovely singing voice. After Mass, Martínez takes Latour around the lands he took from the hanged indigenous peoples, showing off his livestock. On this tour, Martínez boasts that “all the trouble there ever was in New Mexico” (like the famous revolt of 1680) “originated in Taos.”
Though Taos was one of the wealthiest, largest and most dangerous cities in New Mexico at the time, Cather’s portrayal of the settlement again diverges from the historical record. In reality, Martínez worked in concert with many nearby priests, rather than holding onto the idea of Taos as a lone frontier outpost.
Themes
After dinner, Latour begins to learn about Martínez’s life. The priest grew up in Abiquiu and was married and widowed before 23. He then entered the Seminary at Taos and learned to read with both biblical texts and Latin and Spanish philosophy. Latour also realizes that Martínez hates the Americans, as the American occupation meant that men of the “old order” like himself could no longer prosper.
As his time in the desert Southwest goes on, Latour becomes increasingly aware that he is living through historical change. Martínez’s more hands-off approach is being replaced by newly organized governments and newly codified belief systems (like those cemented at the Provincial Council of Baltimore).
Themes
On the way home, Latour stops at Kit Carson’s house. Though Carson is not home, Latour visits with his wife, who gossips with him about the frustrating Martínez and Trinidad; she suggests that Trinidad might even be the old priest’s son. But when Latour asks if he should put a stop to Martínez’s behavior, Señora Carson advises against it: “it would only set the people against you.” Before he leaves, the Señora gives Latour a piece of lacework for Magdalena.
As always, Latour (with the help of the people around him) learns that striking a balance between material and spiritual cares is the most effective path. Even the piece of lacework that Señora Carson gives Latour helps prove that point—though Magdalena is one of the most pious characters in the whole story, she too sometimes craves fine textures and textiles.
Themes
Back in Santa Fé, Latour and Vaillant catch up. Latour has received praise and formal acknowledgment from the cardinals back in Rome, and he has been summoned to a conference at the Vatican next year. But mostly, the men talk about what has happened at Taos. Latour wants to hold off, even when Vaillant tells him a story about a young Mexican girl who was raped by Martínez: “I do not wish to lose the parish of Taos in order to punish its priest.”
Latour’s patience and ambivalence again contrasts with Vaillant’s impulsive absolutism. Rather than sparring, however, the two men push each other to think with more nuance and act more rationally. And just as they compromise with each other, Latour is then able to make similar compromises with his parishioners (as can be seen in his decision to hold off on punishing Martínez).
Themes
Latour tells Vaillant that when he goes to Europe, he will return with some other European missionaries to flesh out the diocese. And eventually, Latour will dispatch Vaillant into the country, just as he brought him from Ohio to Santa Fé. Though Vaillant is anxious about this, he mostly feels jealous that Latour will soon get to go to their home village.
Even as Latour and Vaillant strengthen their connection, power is never completely absent from their relationship; Latour gets to do the most exciting travel, while Vaillant is merely sent wherever his boss feels he might be needed.
Themes
