Elizabeth Bowen is a well-known author of the twentieth century. Among her biggest success are the novels The Death of the Heart and The Heat of the Day but also some of her short stories won fame in world literature of the last century. Many of her novels and short stories include important elements concerning the Second World War, especially London during the Blitz. Bowen herself worked as an air raid precautious warden during World War II when German bombers regularly attacked London. Her stories successfully try to capture life under this stressful and often frustrating situation of war. She focuses on the different ways ordinary people try to cope with the dread of devastation and the loss of family and friends. In many of her stories she emphasizes that this was a special time in wartime London: “[...] in wartime many people had strange deep intense dreams“1. “The Demon Lover”, one of her most famous short stories, and “Mysterious Kôr” are part of “The War Years” stories in Elizabeth Bowen Collected Stories2. Both tales count to those stories, which are temporarily situated during wartime London. The following essay focuses on “The Demon Lover” as a story of suspense and gives a portrait of an unhappy woman, who perishes on the two World wars. “Mysterious Kôr” is also a story of suspense, not in a classical threatening, but in a positive sense. It shows how people in a situation of war helped themselves by means of dreams, to at least grant their souls some shelter.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Demon Lover
- Mysterious Kôr
- Conclusion
- Vorschlag zu einer Unterrichtseinheit zu Elizabeth Bowens Kurzgeschichten "The Demon Lover" und "Mysterious Kôr” in der Oberstufe
- Lesson 1: Elements of the short story and definition of the short story
- Lesson 2: Pre-reading activity: London in the Blitz and a definition for suspense
- Lesson 3: Introduction of "The Demon Lover" and Elizabeth Bowen as a writer
- Lesson 4: Finish the presentations of the groups and post- reading activity: "The Demon Lover" poem
- Lesson 5: "Mysterious Kôr"
- Lesson 6: Conclusion and Comparison
- Appendix A: Elements of Short Stories
- I. Plot - series of related events that make up a story
- II. Four types of characterization - techniques the writer uses to develop character
- III. Themes of literature/Analyzing characters
- IV. Setting/Description
- Appendix B: How to Read a Short Story
- Before
- During
- After
- Terms to Know
- Appendix C: The London Blitz, 1940
- Appendix D: The Daemon Lover
- Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore the stories of suspense “The Demon Lover” and “Mysterious Kôr” by Elizabeth Bowen, examining them as tales that reflect the impact of war, particularly on ordinary people's lives in London during the Blitz. It aims to provide insights into Bowen's literary style and the ways in which she uses suspense to convey themes of fear, isolation, and the psychological effects of conflict.
- The impact of war on ordinary people's lives, particularly in London during the Blitz
- The use of suspense in storytelling
- Themes of fear, isolation, and psychological impact of conflict
- Elizabeth Bowen's literary style and techniques
- The Gothic element in contemporary literature
Chapter Summaries
The Introduction discusses Elizabeth Bowen's career as an author, highlighting her success with novels like “The Death of the Heart” and “The Heat of the Day” and the enduring popularity of her short stories. It establishes a context for the analysis of "The Demon Lover" and "Mysterious Kôr" as stories that capture the realities of wartime London during the Blitz.
The chapter dedicated to "The Demon Lover" delves into the story's elements of suspense, exploring how Bowen utilizes tension-laden atmosphere and ambiguous hints to create a sense of unease and uncertainty for the reader. It further investigates the Gothic elements within the story, highlighting the importance of the supernatural and the hidden themes of war in shaping the narrative.
The summary of "Mysterious Kôr" will focus on its unique approach to suspense, emphasizing its positive and uplifting nature. It will explore how the characters find solace and strength in their dreams, providing an alternative perspective on coping with the pressures and anxieties of wartime.
Keywords
The essay explores the key themes of suspense, war, London during the Blitz, Gothic elements, fear, isolation, psychological effects of conflict, dreams, and Elizabeth Bowen's literary style.
- Quote paper
- Nicole Horenburg (Author), 2002, Elizabeth Bowen - "The Demon Lover" and "Mysterious Kôr" as stories of suspens and stories of war, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22164
