# XVI: Suspense explained — The Lost Girl

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/xvi-suspense
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters