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Death Comes for the Archbishop

Willa Cather

Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop follows the story of Father Jean Latour's ministry in the 19th century American Southwest. Along with Father Joseph Vaillant, Latour revives the Catholic Church in the region after nearly 300 years of neglect. He inspires his parishes, heals old rifts, builds a cathedral, and champions the causes of the native peoples. Major themes in Willa Cather's narrative include order and the reclamation and preservation of the past.

Book Summary

Willa Cather Biography

Early Years

Education and Early Work

Cather the Novelist

About Death Comes for the Archbishop

Summary and Analysis by Chapter

Prologue: At Rome

Book 1: The Vicar Apostolic: Chapter 1

Book 1: The Vicar Apostolic: Chapter 2

Book 1: The Vicar Apostolic: Chapter 3

Book 1: The Vicar Apostolic: Chapter 4

Book 2: Missionary Journeys: Chapter 1

Book 2: Missionary Journeys: Chapter 2

Book 3: The Mass at Acoma: Chapter 1

Book 3: The Mass at Acoma: Chapter 2

Book 3: The Mass at Acoma: Chapter 3

Book 3: The Mass at Acoma: Chapter 4

Book 4: Snake Root: Chapter 1

Book 4: Snake Root: Chapter 2

Book 5: Padre Martinez: Chapter 1

Book 5: Padre Martinez: Chapter 2

Book 6: Dona Isabella: Chapter 1

Book 6: Dona Isabella: Chapter 2

Book 7: The Great Diocese: Chapter 1

Book 7: The Great Diocese: Chapter 2

Book 7: The Great Diocese: Chapter 3

Book 7: The Great Diocese: Chapter 4

Book 8: Gold Under Pikes Peak: Chapter 1

Book 8: Gold Under Pikes Peak: Chapter 2

Book 8: Gold Under Pikes Peak: Chapter 3

Book 9: Death Comes for the Archbishop: Chapters 1–8

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

Jean Marie Latour

Joseph Vaillant

Kit Carson

Padre Gallegos, Fray Baltazar Montoya, Padre Marino Lucero, and Antonio Joseph Martinez

Don Antonio and Dona Isabella Olivares

Philomene, Magdalena, and Inez Olivares

Jacinto, Eusabio, Benito, and Manuelito

Critical Essays

Major Themes in Death Comes for the Archbishop

Death Comes for the Archbishop as a Catholic Novel

Study and Homework Help

Full Glossary for Death Comes for the Archbishop

Quiz

Essay Questions

Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

Take the Quiz Why is Latour is selected as Bishop of the New Mexico?
  1. The Vatican wants him to retrieve a valuable painting.
  2. The Pope fears the Protestant American government.
  3. They require a man with zeal and intelligence.
  4. They fear for his life in Ohio.
Quiz
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