The Lost Girl · Chapter
XVI: Suspense explained
Alvina and Ciccio prepare for Christmas in the Abruzzi mountains, stripping maize and receiving visits from carol-singing bagpipers.
What happens
Alvina and Ciccio prepare for Christmas in the Abruzzi mountains, stripping maize and receiving visits from carol-singing bagpipers. Alvina begins to settle into domestic life but feels the oppressive weight of the isolated mountain community. A trip to Pescocalascio brings her into contact with the local peasants and some vulgar English-speaking models. She receives long-delayed letters: one from Miss Pinnegar full of war anxiety, an insulting letter from Dr. Mitchell, and a letter from Mrs. Tuke about the war and nursing. Alvina burns Dr. Mitchell's letter and feels a growing sense of alienation and the threat of patriarchal surveillance.
Themes in this chapter
The Ordinary vs. the Extraordinary
Alvina's domestic life stripping maize contrasts with the wild, untamed Christmas music and the alien mountain landscape.
Desire and Sensuality
Ciccio's physicality and the sensual description of the maize cobs evoke a tactile, earthy intimacy.
Illusion vs. Reality
Alvina's hope for a peaceful life is shattered by the harsh letters from Dr. Mitchell and the war news, revealing the fragility of her new reality.
Characters to notice
- Alvina Houghton
Strips maize with Ciccio, receives and burns an insulting letter from Dr. Mitchell, feels alienated and threatened by the local culture.
- Ciccio
Works on the land, builds an earth closet, talks animatedly with others in Pescocalascio, shows little sense of domestic life.
- Pancrazio
Accompanies Alvina and Ciccio to Pescocalascio, warns Alvina not to go alone, shows a diabolic look at times.
- Miss Pinnegar
Writes a letter to Alvina full of war and fear and anxiety.
- Dr. Mitchell
Sends an insulting letter to Alvina, accusing her of carrying on with a dirty Italian organ-grinder.
- Mrs. Tuke
Writes to Alvina about the war, volunteering as a nurse, and suggests they might meet in a hospital in France.
Key passages
“I little thought, at the time when I was hoping to make you my wife, that you were carrying on with a dirty Italian organ-grinder. So your fair-seeming face covered the schemes and vice of your true nature. Well, I can only thank Providence which spared me the disgust and shame of marrying you, and I hope that, when I meet you on the streets of Leicester Square, I shall have forgiven you sufficiently to be able to throw you a coin—”
Dr. Mitchell writes a venomous letter to Alvina, accusing her of deceit and immorality for marrying Ciccio, and expresses relief that he did not marry her.
This letter deeply wounds Alvina and she burns it in the brazier.
“You must never come alone. Either Ciccio or I will come with you. You must never come so far alone.”
Pancrazio warns Alvina that she should not go to Pescocalascio by herself, reflecting the local patriarchal attitudes.
Alvina feels the threat of surveillance and subjection.