# VII: Natcha-Kee-Tawara explained — The Lost Girl

> Chapter companion for The Lost Girl by D. H. Lawrence.

## What happens

Alvina becomes closely associated with Mr. May, causing scandal in Woodhouse. Mr. May explains his distinction between physical and mental friendships, valuing Alvina as a 'mental' friend. Alvina observes the variety of performers at the Endeavour Theatre, including a flautist, a Japanese tattooed man, and others. James Houghton's venture struggles with limited success, and Alvina clashes with Miss Pinnegar over the value of live performance versus cinema.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary

Alvina contrasts the mundane permanence of Woodhouse and Miss Pinnegar with the fleeting, exotic life of the Natcha-Kee-Tawara troupe.

### Illusion vs. Reality

Mr. May's distinction between physical and mental friendships, and Alvina's perception of the troupe as unreal compared to Woodhouse, highlight the theme.

### Modernity and Industrial Decline

The Endeavour Theatre's struggle in the industrial canal-valley and the threat of cinema reflect industrial decline and modernity.

## Character check-ins

### Alvina Houghton

Alvina becomes inseparable from Mr. May, observes performers, and defends the troupe against Miss Pinnegar's criticism.

### Mr. May

Mr. May explains his philosophy of mental vs. physical friendships, values Alvina as a sister, and buys new clothes.

### James Houghton

James is absorbed in the Endeavour Theatre's finances, hoping for success but facing limitations.

### Miss Pinnegar

Miss Pinnegar criticizes live performances, favoring cinema, and argues with Alvina about the troupe's value.

### Ciccio

Ciccio is mentioned as part of the troupe, seen as a fantasy by Alvina in contrast to Woodhouse reality.

## Key lines

> She found they were very much of a type: a little frowsy, a little flea-bitten as a rule, indifferent to ordinary morality, and philosophical even if irritable.

Alvina noticed that the performers were generally disheveled, unconcerned with conventional morals, and had a resigned, irritable philosophy.

_Alvina's observation of the troupe's typical characteristics._

> There are two kinds of friendships, physical and mental. The physical is a thing of the moment... But it's so different with the mental friendships. They are lasting.

Mr. May explains that physical friendships are temporary, while mental friendships are enduring.

_Mr. May's philosophy on friendship types._

> I don't hold with idle show-people, parading round, I don't, myself. I like to go to the cinema once a week. It's instruction...

Miss Pinnegar disapproves of live performers and prefers cinema for its educational value.

_Miss Pinnegar's critique of the troupe and defense of cinema._

> They were unreal, Madame and Ciccio and the rest. Ciccio was just a fantasy blown in on the wind, to blow away again.

Alvina felt that the troupe members were like fleeting fantasies, not part of the permanent reality of Woodhouse.

_Alvina's internal conflict between the troupe's allure and Woodhouse's permanence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/vii-natcha-kee-tawara
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters