The Lady of Lyons
The story revolves around the theme of love and sacrifice. The protagonist, a young woman from Lyons, falls deeply in love with a nobleman who is already engaged to another woman. Despite knowing that their love is impossible, they continue to see each other in secret. When the nobleman's fiancée discovers their affair, she vows to take revenge on the young woman. In the end, the protagonist sacrifices her own happiness for the sake of the nobleman and his family, demonstrating her unwavering devotion and selflessness.
By Edward Bulwer-Lytton · First published 1838 · Genre: Drama, Romance, Melodrama · 9 chapters · 25,008 words
First lines
DRAMATIS PERSONAE. BEAUSEANT, a rich gentleman of Lyons, in love with, and refused by, Pauline Deschappelles MR. ELTON. GLAVIS, his friend, also a rejected suitor to Pauline MR. MEADOWS. COLONEL (afterwards General) DAMAS, cousin to Mme. Deschappelles, and an officer in the French army MR. BARTLEY. MONSIEUR DESCHAPPELLES, a Lyonnese merchant father to Pauline MR. STRICKLAND. GASPAR MR. DIDDEAR. CLAUDE MELNOTTE MR. MACREADY. FIRST OFFICER MR. HOWE. SECOND OFFICER MR. PRITCHARD. THIRD OFFICER MR. ROBERTS. Servants, Notary, etc. MADAME DESCHAPPELLES MRS. W. CLIFFORD. PAULINE, her daughter MISS HELEN FAUCIT. THE WIDOW MELNOTTE, mother to Claude MRS. GRIFFITH. JANET, the innkeeper's daughter MRS. EAST. MARIAN, maid to Pauline MISS GARRICK.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lady of Lyons is listed on Textopian as a play by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, dated 1838 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Edward Bulwer-Lytton
- Date: 1838 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Melodrama, Tragedy
- Length: 25,008 words
- Structure: 9 chapters, 639 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lady of Lyons by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Lady of Lyons?
- How does this play by Edward Bulwer-Lytton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Drama — The work is a play, featuring dramatic conflicts and character development.
- Romance — The plot revolves around a love story between the main characters.
- Melodrama — The work features exaggerated characters and exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions.
- Tragedy — The work contains elements of tragedy, including serious themes and a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion.
Tags
Romance · Drama · Historical Fiction · French Revolution · Nobility · Class Differences · Social Hierarchy · Love Triangle · Marriage · Family Secrets · Power Struggle · Rebellion
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE III