# Allaye Also Is Engaged explained — The Lost Girl

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

## What happens

Alvina enjoys respect in Lancaster as a nurse, but her engagement to Dr. Mitchell diminishes her individuality in the eyes of the local intellectual elite. She becomes involved with Mrs. Tuke, a pregnant woman who is detached from her condition. One night, Ciccio serenades Alvina with a mandolin, leading to a tense encounter. Mrs. Tuke goes into labor, and Alvina reveals her past with Ciccio. Mrs. Tuke insists on meeting him, and Ciccio enters her bedroom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Independence and Marriage

Alvina feels her engagement to Dr. Mitchell diminishes her individuality, while Mrs. Tuke's detachment from her pregnancy and marriage reflects a critique of conventional female roles.

### Desire and Sensuality

Ciccio's passionate serenade and his physical embrace of Alvina contrast with Mrs. Tuke's clinical view of childbirth, highlighting raw desire and bodily experience.

### Illusion vs. Reality

Mrs. Tuke's intellectual detachment from her pregnancy and the 'howling' of love and pain challenge the romanticized notions of love and childbirth.

## Character check-ins

### Alvina Houghton

Now a respected nurse in Lancaster, engaged to Dr. Mitchell, but feels her individuality is compromised. She reconnects with Ciccio during a serenade.

### Ciccio

Serenades Alvina outside Mrs. Tuke's house, pleading with her to come to Italy. He is described as beautiful and nonhuman in the moonlight.

### Mrs. Tuke

A pregnant, neurotic woman who is detached from her pregnancy. She is fascinated by Ciccio and insists on meeting him during her labor.

### Dr. Mitchell

Alvina's fiancé, mentioned as the reason for her engagement, which she feels pigeonholes her in Lancaster.

### Tommy

Mrs. Tuke's husband, a composer who lives on his father's allowance. He is present during the serenade but dismisses the Italian music.

## Key lines

> It is not only the prophet who hath honour save in his own country: it is every one with individuality.

Individuality is often unrecognized at home but valued elsewhere.

_Alvina feels respected in Lancaster as a unique person, unlike in Woodhouse._

> I can't imagine that I'm going to have a child—

Mrs. Tuke expresses disbelief and detachment from her own pregnancy.

_Reflects her alienation from the physical reality of childbirth._

> Ma nun me lasciar'—

Don't leave me—

_Ciccio's song pleads for Alvina not to abandon him._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/xii-allaye-also-is-engaged
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters