 Terminations, 1895, first U.S. edition of "The Altar of the Dead" | |
| Author | Henry James |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Short story |
| Publisher | William Heinemann, London Harper & Brothers, New York City |
Publication date | Heinemann: May 15, 1895 Harper: June 18, 1895 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom, United States |
| Media type | Print Published as part of the short story collection Terminations |
"The Altar of the Dead" is a short story by Henry James, first published in his collection Terminations in 1895. A fable of literally life and death significance, the story explores how the protagonist tries to keep the remembrance of his dead friends, to save them from being forgotten entirely in the rush of everyday events. He meets a woman who shares his ideals, only to find that the past places what seems to be an impassable barrier between them. Although James was not religious in any conventional sense, the story shows a deep spirituality in its treatment of mortality and the transcendent power of unselfish love.