D.H. Lawrence's Short Stories Thread

[Janine]

LOL I didn't think Janine meant that, but we'll see when she logs on. I'm wrong as often as I'm right. Maybe more so. LOL

I think I will keep you all guessing just what I was thinking....


Hi Everyone, glad to see this site is working faster today. I did find out what is wrong with my own computer. I upgraded to Explorer 7 and it is terrible and there is a site online where people are voicing opinions on the subject and how this new upgrade has messed up their computers. So I have to download Explorer 6 and get rid of 7, as soon as I am able. I hope I don't mess it up.

Anyway, I wanted to say I can't post anything new on the story tonight. It will have to wait until tomorrow, unless I can get to it later tonight after I watch a movie. Sorry for the delay. I am getting like Quark....hahaha...just kidding Q!

[Quark]

Anyway, I wanted to say I can't post anything new on the story tonight. It will have to wait until tomorrow, unless I can get to it later tonight after I watch a movie. Sorry for the delay. I am getting like Quark....hahaha...just kidding Q!

Oh, very funny Janine. Your jab isn't going to make me post any faster, though, seeing as how you're the one holding me back from finishing my point about Winifred's motives. We haven't gotten to the passage I need yet, so I'm waiting on you this time.

[Janine]

Oh, very funny Janine. Your jab isn't going to make me post any faster, though, seeing as how you're the one holding me back from finishing my point about Winifred's motives. We haven't gotten to the passage I need yet, so I'm waiting on you this time.

I know that...anyway, I said I was just kidding with you; don't take me seriously. Yes, we are nearly up to the house scene, so I will probably be able to post that tonight.

Quark, So the question that you need answered, is in the next part of the story...ah ha... I will get to that soon, promise.....well, unless I am flying off to the hospital, unexpectedly tonight; but I doubt it. Tomorrow seems to be the day for baby's arrival, so I want to post this part, so you all can argue or agree about various points. Knock yourself out!

Most likely I will be back later tonight.

[Virgil]

And you might have been. You've not denied it.

No, no. really, it was literary magazines. I swear.

I hope Wednesday goes well, Janine. Let me know when you can. I've got my fingers crossed.

I had thought it might happen today. I guess not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed too. I can't wait for the news.

[Janine]

No, no. really, it was literary magazines. I swear.

Literary in what sense?

I had thought it might happen today. I guess not. I'm keeping my fingers crossed too. I can't wait for the news.

Virgil, you may be right!
Well, guess what, everyone? The baby may be born today; she is in labor now; my son just called. They went to the hospital at 6:30. He will call back in a short while, to let us know more; she was calling for him. My mother got the call and she relayed the message to me...he always calls grandma first.
I know I am off-topic here, but I had to let you all know...you can imagine how excited I am right now! I may be taking a trip to the hospital tonight in a few hours. Well, I am a nite owl, so that would be fine with me. Say a prayer all goes fine and is over soon. I can't wait to hold my grandbaby in my arms. Say a prayer for them both.

[Virgil]

Virgil, you may be right!
Well, guess what, everyone? The baby may be born today; she is in labor now; my son just called. They went to the hospital at 6:30. He will call back in a short while, to let us know more; she was calling for him. My mother got the call and she relayed the message to me...he always calls grandma first.
I know I am off-topic here, but I had to let you all know...you can imagine how excited I am right now! I may be taking a trip to the hospital tonight in a few hours. Well, I am a nite owl, so that would be fine with me. Say a prayer all goes fine and is over soon. I can't wait to hold my grandbaby in my arms. Say a prayer for them both.

Oh my. I'm excited too. The baby and the mother will be in my prayers tonight. Good luck and let us know.

[Janine]

Oh my. I'm excited too. The baby and the mother will be in my prayers tonight. Good luck and let us know.

I just PM'd you, but I am glad you saw this. Yes, I think I am a nervous wreck! Thanks and your prayers are greatly appreciated, Virgil. Glad I can share this with all of you.

[Janine]

Be calm, Janine. With a first baby, things could take awhile, but I'm sure it will be fine. She's had a good, healthy pregnancy and the baby is in perfect position. It's all going wonderfully.

Antiquarian, Yeah, no posting text tonight....sorry everyone...can't be helped... I am too tired already; need to pep up. Excitement is wearing me out. I think I'll go and take a short cat nap incase, I am called to the hospital soon. In fact, Sean just called and said that is a good idea; could be hours from now, as it stands, but all is going very well. I may just be going there tomorrow morning...who knows. I will keep you all informed.

[Janine]

Well, now it is morning and no baby yet; but the time is close at hand, so the doctors say. I'll keep you posted. Mother and I will be going up there soon.

I could not sleep well, so I worked briefly and quickly on some of the text last night before I went to sleep.

THE NEW PART OF THE TEXT:

At the gate of a small house in a dark tree-lined street, both waited a moment. From her garden leaned an almond tree whose buds, early this year, glistened in the light of the street lamp, with theatrical effect. He broke off a twig.
"I always remember this tree," he said; "how I used to feel sorry for it when it was full out, and so lively, at midnight in the lamplight. I thought it must be tired."

Is this a metaphor of himself – this tree and the way he describes it; or even a metaphor for Winifred – the way he perceives her?
I like the line I bolded up about the almond tree…beautiful poetic writing. Is there any special significance pointing out that her house is in a dark tree-lined street?

"Will you come in?" she asked tenderly.
"I did get a room in town," he answered, following her.

I can’t remember, did he answer this question of Winifred’s before or is he just now admitting to his sleeping arrangements for the night?

She opened the door with her latch-key, showing him, as usual, into the drawing-room. Everything was just the same; cold in colouring, warm in appointment; ivory-coloured walls, blond, polished floor, with thick ivory-coloured rugs; three deep arm-chairs in pale amber, with large cushions; a big black piano, a violin-stand beside it; and the room very warm with a clear red fire, the brass shining hot. Coutts, according to his habit,

lit the piano-candles and lowered the blinds.

What exactly are piano-candles? This imagine of lighting the piano-candles and lowering the blinds sounds like he is secluding them; seeking privacy.

"I say," he said; "this is a variation from your line!"

I was thinking that in music there are ‘variations’.

He pointed to a bowl of magnificent scarlet anemones that stood on the piano.
"Why?" she asked, pausing in arranging her hair at the small mirror.
"On the piano!" he admonished.
"Only while the table was in use," she smiled, glancing at the litter of papers that covered her table.

I am curious to know why he thought they were out of place on the piano being red or so it seems to be because of the color, but is it merely because she has any flowers at all on the piano, something he has not known before to be characteristic of her?.... and he thought he knew her so well….it that why he comments in surprise about the red flowers?

"And then--red flowers!" he said.
"Oh, I thought they were such a fine piece of colour," she replied.
"I would have wagered you would buy freesias," he said.
"Why?" she smiled. He pleased her thus.
"Well--for their cream and gold and restrained, bruised purple, and their scent. I can't believe you bought scentless flowers!"
"What!" She went forward, bent over the flowers.
"I had not noticed," she said, smiling curiously, "that they were scentless."
She touched the velvet black centres.
"Would you have bought them had you noticed?" he asked.
She thought for a moment, curiously.
"I don't know . . . probably I should not."
"You would never buy scentless flowers," he averred. "Any more than you'd love a man because he was handsome."
"I did not know," she smiled. She was pleased.

What significance do the scentless flowers have; why so significant to Coutts in his usual image of Winifred; also why does he see her only buying the pastel flowers that are scented? Does the red represent a signal to Coutts of passion that he had not known of before?
Red poppies can also signify remembrance, such as of the fallen soldiers in France during the war.

The housekeeper entered with a lamp, which she set on a stand.

Ah, the fateful lamp….

[Janine]

Thank you for the text, Janine, but I'm sorry you couldn't sleep well, though I can certainly understand why.

I guessed the birthday would be May 14th, and I'm glad it's close now. Good luck at the hospital and let us know the good news when you can.

Yelena, you are welcome about the text posting. Well, you all can play around now with the text for a few days, right? I didn't want to leave you all aimless. and floundering in here. Anyway, it was no problems - kind of relaxed me to get to sleep. I had to unwind some last night.

Probably once get to the hospital, we will be there most of the day; then stop somewhere to out to eat coming back; just my mom and I. She is really excited. Me too! No doubt I can let you all know tonight, later on.


Just editing this to tell you all the good news - Baby 'Brooke' is here!!! and she weights nearly 9 lbs...ouch! She is healthy and beautiful with dark curly hair. Mother and baby are doing fine. Sean just called and we are heading up the hospital very soon. Will fill you in later on details. I am finally the proud grandma.... offically!

[Quark]

Just editing this to tell you all the good news - Baby 'Brooke' is here!!! and she weights nearly 9 lbs...ouch! She is healthy and beautiful with dark curly hair. Mother and baby are doing fine. Sean just called and we are heading up the hospital very soon. Will fill you in later on details. I am finally the proud grandma.... offically!

That's great news, Janine! It's good to know it's official now.

[Janine]

That's great news, Janine! It's good to know it's official now.

Thanks, Quark, that is so sweet of you. They made me a Congratulations thread on the forum. Isn't that nice? I am so happy today and relieved, as well. I slept well and will see the baby tonight hopefully. I won't have my mind much on Lawrence this week, sorry. My priority lays in my grand-daughter for now. Go ahead and discuss the text I posted if you all want to. I don't mind one bit missing this part. I will catch up later or check in late at night and comment. I think we got to that part you were interested in with the red flowers.

Thanks Antiquarian, too and for your greeting in email and your other congrats in the Congratulation thread, as well as your good wishes in this thread.

[Janine]

I am back for a little while anyway; taking a break today from going to the hospital, want to give my son and his wife and baby their privacy.

Anyway, I thought by now, you all would have discussed the text above, that I posted. I had some comments and also some questions that I thought would inspire some discussion here. Where is everyone? Dark Muse (I need you so we can have healthy opposition), Antiquarian, Virgil, and Quark...where did you all run off to? Our L thread is fading away and will slip into page two soon.

[Janine]

I think Virgil is busier at work, Janine. DM seems to be around and so does Quark, at time. I've been busily trying to finish the rough draft of one story and revise another. It's kind of making me nuts. It's so hard to get the words exactly right, which they have to be for this instructor.

Oh, take your time then, Antiquarian. I fully understand. After reading some of Lawrence's letters, I believe he felt just like you are feeling right now at times; frustrated. Don't always think it not a struggle for some of these author genius'.
I am really tired tonight anyway. I was just trying to keep the thread going. If my last text post is lost, back a few pages, I can always re-post it. Did you see my post in 'what book are you reading'? I finally settled on two - both short Lawrence works. They seemed a good idea to fill in right now; since I can't devote full attention for long.

Antiquarian, thanks for finding this post and good luck with your editing. Sometimes true 'art' can be very difficult indeed. I can't wait to read your final draft of your story.

[Dark Muse]

Sorry I have been busy lately with school and well yall scared me away with all the baby talk

But I have been meaning to comment on your last post of the story, just keep getting caught up in things when I think I am going to do so. And it has been so hot here which slows my brain cells down.