Odour of Chrysanthemums
"The Odour of Chrysanthemums" by D.H. Lawrence is a short story that explores the themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative follows the story of a young woman named Margaret, who becomes infatuated with a man named Charles, despite his lack of interest in her. As Margaret becomes more and more obsessed with Charles, she begins to lose touch with reality, leading to a tragic and unexpected conclusion. Throughout the story, Lawrence employs vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the intense emotions of the characters. The chrysanthemums that give the story its title serve as a metaphor for Margaret's all-consuming passion, while the bleak and barren landscape of the Yorkshire moors reflects the desolation and isolation that Margaret feels in her life. Overall, "The Odour of Chrysanthemums" is a powerful and haunting tale that delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the destructive power of unrequited love.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1930 · Genre: Fiction, Short Story, Literary Fiction · 9,531 words
First lines
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What this Textopian page supports
Odour of Chrysanthemums is listed on Textopian as a novella 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: Novella
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Short Story, Literary Fiction, Modernist Literature, Social Realism
- Length: 9,531 words
- Structure: 1 section, 231 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Odour of Chrysanthemums by D.H. Lawrence
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Odour of Chrysanthemums?
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Similar titles
- The Man Who Died by D. H. Lawrence
- Cherry Robbers by D. H. Lawrence
- A Father by Anton Chekhov
- The Bereaved by Giovanni Verga
- A Sick Collier by D. H. Lawrence
- Glad Ghosts by D. H. Lawrence
Genres
- Fiction — The story, while drawing on real experiences, is not literally true and is, therefore, classified as fiction.
- Short Story — Odour of Chrysanthemums is a brief work of prose narrative, traditionally shorter and less detailed than a novel.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative delves into human experiences, character introspection, and the prose is crafted with a particular focus on style and technique.
- Modernist Literature — Odour of Chrysanthemums was written during the modernist period in literature and reflects the conventions of the movement, such as disillusionment, fragmentation, and a departure from traditional narrative forms.
Tags
family · grief · industrialization · relationships · marriage · disillusionment · rural life · gender roles · death · symbolism · emotional conflict · working class