La Lettre D'Amour
The narrative unfolds in a restaurant where Edouard, a young second violinist, replaces the more experienced Bardini. Edouard is depicted as a serious and introspective musician, contrasting sharply with Bardini's flamboyant and self-serving style. As he plays, he observes the diverse clientele, feeling disconnected from the superficiality around him. His music is a means of expression, a way to connect with a deeper emotional truth that he believes exists beyond the restaurant's noise. Among the patrons is Miss Warriner, a young woman traveling with her mother. She is the object of Edouard's fascination, inspiring in him a profound sense of longing and melancholy. He plays a piece titled "La Lettre d'Amour," hoping to convey his feelings through music. However, when he looks to her for acknowledgment, he finds her indifferent, which shatters his moment of connection. Simultaneously, Corbin, a young man infatuated with Miss Warriner, struggles with his unreciprocated feelings. He admires her from a distance, attempting to express his love through conversation and gestures, but she remains emotionally distant. Corbin's attempts to engage her in deeper discussions about life and society reveal his earnestness, yet he is met with her polite but firm rejection. As Edouard continues to play, he becomes increasingly aware of the emotional chasm between himself and Miss Warriner. His music, which he believes speaks to her soul, fails to resonate with her, leading him to question his worth as an artist. Corbin, on the other hand, finds solace in Edouard's music, interpreting it as a reflection of his own feelings for Miss Warriner. He attempts to convey this connection to her, but she remains fixated on technical aspects of Edouard's performance rather than the emotional depth it embodies. The story culminates in a poignant moment where Corbin, inspired by Edouard's music, tries to articulate his love to Miss Warriner. However, she dismisses Edouard's talent, focusing instead on superficial comparisons to renowned musicians. This moment of disillusionment for Corbin marks a turning point, as he realizes that his feelings may not be understood or reciprocated by Miss Warriner. In the end, as Miss Warriner and her mother prepare to leave, Corbin's resolve falters. He contemplates abandoning his plans to travel to the Philippines, reflecting on the futility of his unreturned affection. Meanwhile, Edouard, still captivated by Miss Warriner, plays to an empty chair, symbolizing the unfulfilled connections and the loneliness that permeates both their lives. The narrative explores themes of unrequited love, the power of music as a form of expression, and the complexities of human emotions in social settings.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1902 · Genre: Romance, Literary Fiction, Drama · 8,277 words
First lines
When Bardini, who led the Hungarian Band at the Savoy Restaurant, was promoted to play at the Casino at Trouville, his place was taken by the second violin. The second violin was a boy, and when he greeted his brother Tziganes and the habitues of the restaurant with an apologetic and deprecatory bow, he showed that he was fully conscious of the inadequacy of his years. The maitre d'hotel glided from table to table, busying himself in explanations.
"The boy's name is Edouard; he comes from Budapest," he said. "The season is too late to make it worth the while of the management to engage a new chef d'orchestre. So this boy will play. He plays very good, but he is not like Bardini."
What this Textopian page supports
La Lettre D'Amour is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1902 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1902 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Romance, Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction, Music Fiction
- Length: 8,277 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for La Lettre D'Amour by Richard Harding Davis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering La Lettre D'Amour?
- How does this short story by Richard Harding Davis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Romance first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Romance — The central plot revolves around unrequited love and emotional connections between characters, particularly between Edouard and Miss Warriner.
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of love, social class, and the nature of artistic expression, focusing on character development and emotional depth.
- Drama — The story contains dramatic elements, including tension and conflict arising from the characters' relationships and emotional struggles.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, the story reflects social dynamics and cultural elements of the time, particularly in the restaurant and music scenes.
Tags
Romance · Love Letter · 19th Century Literature · American Fiction · Classic Novel · Epistolary Format · Historical Fiction · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Family Dynamics · Society