Appearance
Excerpt
Excerpt from A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, by Laurence Sterne
I HAD scarce uttered the words, when a poor monk of the order of St.
Francis came into the room to beg something for his convent. No man
cares to have his virtues the sport of contingencies—or one man may be
generous, as another is puissant;—sed non quoad hanc—or be it as it
may,—for there is no regular reasoning upon the ebbs and flows of our
humours; they may depend upon the same causes, for aught I know, which
influence the tides themselves: ’twould oft be no discredit to us, to
suppose it was so: I’m sure at least for myself, that in many a case I
should be more highly satisfied, to have it said by the world, “I had had
an affair with the moon, in which there was neither sin nor shame,” than
have it pass altogether as my own act and deed, wherein there was so much
of both.
—But, be this as it may,—the moment I cast my eyes upon him, I was
predetermined not to give him a single sous; and, accordingly, I put my
purse into my pocket—buttoned it—set myself a little more upon my centre,
and advanced up gravely to him; there was something, I fear, forbidding
in my look: I have his figure this moment before my eyes, and think there
was that in it which deserved better.
The monk, as I judged by the break in his tonsure, a few scattered white
hairs upon his temples, being all that remained of it, might be about
seventy;—but from his eyes, and that sort of fire which was in them,
which seemed more temper’d by courtesy than years, could be no more than
sixty:—Truth might lie between—He was certainly sixty-five; and the
general air of his countenance, notwithstanding something seem’d to have
been planting wrinkles in it before their time, agreed to the account.
Explanation
Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne
Context of the Work
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768) is Laurence Sterne’s final novel, published just weeks before his death. It is a fictional travelogue narrated by the eccentric and emotionally sensitive Yorick (a recurring character from Sterne’s earlier work, Tristram Shandy), who embarks on a journey through Europe. Unlike traditional travel writing, which focuses on geography and culture, Sterne’s work is deeply introspective, emphasizing human emotions, whimsy, and the unpredictability of human behavior.
The novel is a key example of sentimentalism, an 18th-century literary movement that prized feeling over reason, spontaneity over rigid morality, and personal experience over abstract philosophy. Sterne’s style—digressive, playful, and rich in irony—challenges Enlightenment ideals of rationality, instead celebrating the idiosyncrasies of human nature.
Analysis of the Excerpt
1. The Encounter with the Monk: A Study in Contradictions
The passage begins with a Franciscan monk entering the room to beg for his convent. The narrator, Yorick, immediately reflects on the unpredictability of human generosity—how one’s moral actions (like charity) are often subject to mood, chance, or even celestial influences (e.g., the moon). This sets up a central tension in the scene: the gap between intention and action, between how we perceive ourselves and how we behave.
"No man cares to have his virtues the sport of contingencies"
- Yorick suggests that people dislike their moral choices being dictated by external forces (like mood swings or luck).
- The Latin phrase "sed non quoad hanc" ("but not in this case") interrupts the thought, reinforcing the fragmented, digressive nature of Sterne’s prose—mirroring the unpredictability of human thought.
"the ebbs and flows of our humours"
- Yorick compares human emotions to tides, influenced by unseen forces (possibly the moon).
- This metaphor underscores the irrationality of human behavior—we are not fully in control of our actions, just as the tides are not fully controlled by human will.
- The humorous suggestion that he’d rather blame the moon than take responsibility for his flaws ("an affair with the moon, in which there was neither sin nor shame") highlights Sterne’s ironic detachment from rigid moral judgments.
2. The Instantaneous, Irrational Decision Not to Give
Despite his philosophical musings on generosity, Yorick instantly decides not to give the monk any money—and his description of this decision is theatrical and almost comical:
"I put my purse into my pocket—buttoned it—set myself a little more upon my centre, and advanced up gravely to him"
- The physical actions (buttoning the purse, adjusting his posture) are exaggerated, emphasizing how deliberate and performative his refusal is.
- The phrase "set myself a little more upon my centre" suggests a defensive, self-righteous stance—as if he is bracing himself against the monk’s plea.
- The gravity of his approach contrasts with the frivolity of his reasoning, creating dramatic irony.
"there was something, I fear, forbidding in my look"
- Yorick acknowledges that his expression may have been harsh, yet he does not justify it morally—only observes it as a fact.
- This self-awareness without self-criticism is typical of Sterne’s narrator, who exposes his own flaws without shame.
3. The Monk’s Portrait: A Study in Pathos and Dignity
The most poignant part of the passage is Yorick’s detailed description of the monk, which humanizes him despite Yorick’s initial refusal to help:
"the break in his tonsure, a few scattered white hairs upon his temples"
- The visual imagery of the monk’s aging, worn appearance evokes sympathy.
- The "break in his tonsure" (a missing patch of hair where monks shave their heads) suggests hardship, perhaps poverty or illness.
"from his eyes, and that sort of fire which was in them, which seemed more temper’d by courtesy than years"
- The monk’s eyes are described as full of life ("fire"), yet softened by politeness rather than age.
- This contradiction—vitality despite old age—makes him more compelling.
- The phrase "Truth might lie between" suggests that the monk’s true age is ambiguous, just as his dignity is ambiguous—he is neither fully young nor fully old, neither fully pitiful nor fully noble.
"something seem’d to have been planting wrinkles in it before their time"
- The personification of wrinkles being "planted" suggests premature suffering.
- This subtle critique of fate implies that the monk’s hardships are unearned, making Yorick’s refusal seem even more unjust.
4. The Moral Ambiguity and Sentimental Irony
The passage does not resolve into a clear moral lesson. Instead, it exposes the contradictions in human nature:
- Yorick acknowledges the monk’s dignity ("there was that in it which deserved better") but does not act on it.
- His self-justification ("’twould oft be no discredit to us to suppose it was so") is playful yet evasive—he would rather blame the moon than admit fault.
- The tone is lighthearted yet melancholic, typical of Sterne’s sentimental irony—where deep emotion is undercut by humor.
5. Literary Devices at Play
| Device | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Digressive Narration | The sudden shift from the monk to musings on the moon | Mimics the unpredictability of thought, reinforcing the novel’s sentimental, non-linear style. |
| Irony | Yorick’s philosophical reflection on generosity vs. his immediate refusal to give | Highlights the gap between ideals and actions, a central theme in sentimental literature. |
| Metaphor | "Ebbs and flows of our humours" like tides | Suggests that human emotions are natural forces, beyond full control. |
| Physical Comedy | "Buttoned it—set myself a little more upon my centre" | Makes Yorick’s stubbornness absurd, undercutting any moral superiority. |
| Pathos | The monk’s aged, wrinkled face with "fire" in his eyes | Evokes sympathy, making Yorick’s refusal seem more callous. |
| Self-Deprecating Humor | "I had had an affair with the moon" | Softens moral judgment, making the narrator more relatable despite his flaws. |
Themes in the Excerpt
The Unpredictability of Human Nature
- Yorick’s instant, irrational decision contrasts with his philosophical musings, showing how emotions often override reason.
The Gap Between Appearance and Reality
- The monk appears dignified and suffering, yet Yorick initially sees him as a nuisance.
- Yorick presents himself as thoughtful, yet his actions are selfish.
Sentimentalism vs. Rationality
- Sterne rejects Enlightenment rationality in favor of emotional spontaneity.
- The passage does not judge Yorick harshly—instead, it observes human folly with affectionate irony.
The Absurdity of Moral Posturing
- Yorick’s theatrical refusal (buttoning his purse, adjusting his stance) mocks the performativity of virtue.
- His willingness to blame the moon rather than take responsibility satirizes moral self-importance.
The Dignity of the Poor and Aged
- Despite Yorick’s initial coldness, the monk’s portrayal is noble, suggesting that true virtue lies in quiet suffering rather than performative charity.
Significance of the Passage
This excerpt encapsulates Sterne’s sentimental philosophy:
- Human beings are contradictory, emotional, and often irrational—but this does not make them less worthy of understanding.
- Morality is not about rigid rules but about spontaneous, empathetic connections (even if, as here, those connections are failed).
- Literature should reflect the messiness of life, not impose artificial order.
The scene also foreshadows later moments in the novel where Yorick does show kindness—suggesting that sentimentalism is not about consistency, but about moments of genuine feeling.
Finally, the passage challenges the reader to question their own moral instincts—would we, like Yorick, deny help to someone who "deserved better"? Sterne does not answer this but invites us to sit with the discomfort, a hallmark of his playful yet profound style.
Conclusion: Why This Matters
Sterne’s genius lies in his ability to make philosophy feel personal and make personal flaws feel philosophical. This excerpt is not just about a man refusing to give alms—it is about how we justify our actions, how we perceive others, and how our emotions often betray our best intentions. In an age that valued reason and order, Sterne celebrated the chaotic, the sentimental, and the human—making A Sentimental Journey a timeless exploration of what it means to be imperfectly, beautifully human.