D. H. Lawrence’s THE LOST GIRL as a Transitional Work

D. H. Lawrence’s THE LOST GIRL as a Transitional Work

  This paper pays attention to the transitional aspects of D. H Lawrence"s The Lost Girl in terms of national (and racial) identity and the Lawrentian sense of place. I mean by "transition" Lawrence"s temporary stay in Italy from February 1920 to May 1921 when he waited for departure to America. This period is featured by instability(in other words, Lawrence"s sense of "being lost" as seen in The Lost Girl and Aaron"s Rod, both written in Italy) and by his sense of confusion existing between the end of a European mode of life and the beginning of American life. In this transitional novel, Lawrence explores the possibilities of Italy as a new place and a new way of life before he launches out his journey to Australia, America, and Mexico. Alvina Houghton"s self-exile to Italy reflects Lawrence"s determination to end the European mode of life, which reached the peak after the war, and foreshadows his "leadership" period characterized as his ongoing search for a new society. Keeping in mind that The Lost Girl features a transitional phase moving from the European mode of life to the "primitive" way of life, this paper examines the importance of Italy as an alternative locale to industrialized Europe. Particularly focusing on the way in which Alvina"s sense of disorientation her sense of being "lost"―is related to the different spirits of England and Italy, this paper will show how the spirit of each place shapes and determines the meaning of Alvina"s self-exile.