My teacher sage aware thrusting him back -Away down there to th- other dogs- Gustave Dore (1832-1883)

The drawing presents a scene steeped in turmoil and descent. A central figure, draped in flowing robes, stands as a witness or participant in a forceful expulsion. He is flanked by another individual whose face remains largely obscured, suggesting a secondary role or perhaps anonymity within the unfolding drama. The composition is dominated by figures struggling against a turbulent, watery expanse.
Several nude male forms are depicted in various states of distress and struggle. One figure is violently propelled forward, seemingly cast into the depths by an unseen force. Others writhe in the water, their bodies contorted in expressions of anguish or resignation. The artist has rendered these figures with considerable anatomical detail, emphasizing their physical vulnerability amidst the chaos.
A sense of verticality is established by the looming presence of a dark, craggy cliff face that rises abruptly from the waters edge on the left side of the image. This backdrop contributes to the feeling of entrapment and inescapable doom. The darkness surrounding the scene further intensifies the atmosphere of despair and isolation.
The subtexts within this drawing are complex. The forceful ejection suggests a rejection, a punishment, or perhaps an initiation into a lower realm. The obscured face of the figure beside the central one hints at a deliberate distancing from the action, implying either complicity or a necessary detachment for observation. The water itself can be interpreted as symbolic of transition, purification through suffering, or simply the overwhelming power of fate.
The overall effect is one of profound psychological and spiritual distress. It evokes themes of loss, exile, and the confrontation with forces beyond human control. The artist’s use of dramatic lighting and dynamic composition amplifies the emotional intensity of the scene, creating a powerful visual narrative of descent and consequence.