Ballad of Another Ophelia. (D. H. Lawrence)
The narrative revolves around a young woman's descent into madness, mirroring the tragic tale of Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet. The protagonist's mental state deteriorates as she becomes increasingly isolated and disconnected from reality. Her relationships with men are marked by emotional turmoil and exploitation, leading to feelings of powerlessness and despair. As her grip on sanity falters, she begins to experience vivid hallucinations and engages in self-destructive behavior. Throughout the narrative, the author explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and the societal pressures that contribute to a woman's downfall. The story is characterized by its poetic and symbolic language, which adds to the sense of unease and foreboding that pervades the narrative. The protagonist's ultimate fate serves as a commentary on the societal norms that perpetuate the oppression and marginalization of women.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1920 · Genre: Poetry, Pastoral, Romantic · 391 words
First lines
Oh, the green glimmer of apples in the orchard, / Lamps in a wash of rain, / Oh, the wet walk of my brown hen through the stackyard, / Oh, tears on the window pane!
Nothing now will ripen the bright green apples, / Full of disappointment and of rain, / Brackish they will taste, of tears, when the yellow dapples / Of Autumn tell the withered tale again.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, and employs vivid imagery and metaphor typical of poetry.
- Pastoral — The poem features rural and natural imagery, such as orchards, hens, and rain, which are characteristic of pastoral themes.
- Romantic — Themes of love and nature, as well as emotional expression, align with the Romantic genre.
- Symbolism — The use of symbols like apples, hens, and the sun to convey deeper meanings is indicative of Symbolist literature.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Literary Novel · Tragic Love Story · Coming-of-Age · Social Commentary · Existential Crisis · Inner Turmoil · Emotional Descent · Mental Health · Dysfunctional Relationships · Unrequited Love · Love Triangle
What this Textopian page supports
Ballad of Another Ophelia. (D. H. Lawrence) is listed on Textopian as a poem by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Pastoral, Romantic, Symbolism, Modernist
- Length: 391 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ballad of Another Ophelia. (D. H. Lawrence) by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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