Glad Ghosts by D.H. Lawrence (1930)
The narrative follows the complex relationship between the narrator and Carlotta Fell, an artist from an aristocratic background, as they navigate their lives before and after World War I. Initially, Carlotta is portrayed as a beauty and a talented artist, yet she feels trapped by her social class and yearns for something deeper. Their friendship is marked by a mutual understanding of the dissatisfaction with conventional life, but they remain emotionally distant, with Carlotta ultimately marrying Lord Lathkill, a charming but troubled officer. As the war progresses, the couple faces personal tragedies, including the loss of their children, which exacerbates their emotional struggles. The narrator observes the changes in Carlotta and her husband, noting their growing disconnection and the haunting presence of past choices. The story delves into themes of love, loss, and the haunting nature of unresolved relationships, culminating in a poignant exploration of the human condition. The narrative's climax occurs when the characters confront their ghosts—both literal and metaphorical—leading to moments of revelation and self-discovery. Ultimately, the story reflects on the enduring impact of love and the complexities of human connections, suggesting that true understanding often lies beyond the surface of social conventions.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1930 · Genre: Short Stories, Horror, Fantasy · 19,532 words
First lines
I knew Carlotta Fell in the early days before the war. Then she was escaping into art, and was just "Fell. " That was at our famous but uninspired school of art, the Thwaite, where I myself was diligently murdering my talent. At the Thwaite they always gave Carlotta the Still-life prizes. She accepted them calmly, as one of our conquerors, but the rest of the students felt vicious about it. They called it buttering the laurels, because Carlotta was Hon., and her father a well-known peer.
What this Textopian page supports
Glad Ghosts is listed on Textopian as a novel by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Horror, Fantasy, Literary Fiction
- Length: 19,532 words
- Structure: 1 section, 541 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Glad Ghosts by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Glad Ghosts?
- How does this novel by D.H. Lawrence fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Man Who Died by D. H. Lawrence
- Lifes Handicap by Rudyard Kipling
- A Reaping by E. F. Benson
- Men In New Mexico Ghosts by D. H. Lawrence
- A Fragment Of Stained Glass by D. H. Lawrence
- Troth With The Dead by D. H. Lawrence
Genres
- Short Stories — The book 'Glad Ghosts' is a collection of short stories, making this the primary genre.
- Horror — The use of supernatural elements in the narrative, such as the prevalent theme of ghosts, assigns this book to the horror genre.
- Fantasy — Presenting non-realistic elements such as the existence and interactions with ghosts, this book also satisfies characteristics of the Fantasy genre.
- Literary Fiction — D.H. Lawrence's use of elaborate prose and emphasis on exploring internal character development, coupled with his literary reputation, places it in the genre of literary fiction.
Tags
ghosts · supernatural · literature · short stories · existentialism · human experience · relationships · death · afterlife · emotions · identity · nature