Strait is the Gate by Andre Gide (Penguin Modern Classics)

Description

Strait is the Gate by André Gide is a poignant tale of unfulfilled love, sacrifice, and religious devotion. The novel follows the deeply emotional yet tragic relationship between Jérôme and his cousin Alissa. Though they share a profound love, Alissa, influenced by her strict religious beliefs and sense of moral duty, continually denies herself happiness. She chooses a path of self-denial, believing that earthly love must be sacrificed for a higher spiritual calling, leaving Jérôme heartbroken and unable to understand her rejection.

Through Alissa’s internal struggles and Jérôme’s despair, Gide explores themes of faith, renunciation, and the complexities of human emotions. The novel is a delicate psychological study, portraying how rigid moral ideals can lead to self-inflicted suffering. With its introspective narrative and lyrical prose, Strait is the Gate is a deeply moving meditation on the conflicts between desire and duty, showing how love, when constrained by rigid principles, can become a source of sorrow rather than joy.