The Death of the Heart | The Death of the Heart

At a glance:

Author: Elizabeth Bowen
First Published: 1938
Type of Work: Novel
Type of Plot: Psychological realism
Time of Work: After World War I
Setting: London and Seale, England
Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction, Bildungsroman, Domestic realism
Subjects: Maturation or coming of age, Family or family life, Class conflict, Adolescence, Teenagers, Love or romance, Middle classes, Betrayal, Alienation, Class consciousness, 1920’s, 1930’s, Emotions, Jealousy, envy, or resentment, England or English people, Idealism, Loneliness, Orphans or orphanages
Locales: London, England, Seale, England

Characters Discussed

Portia Quayne, a confused and demanding sixteen-year-old girl who lives with her stepbrother. Through her affection for Eddie, she loses some of her childish idealism and sense of the simplicity of human affairs.

Thomas Quayne, Portia’s stepbrother, a partner in a London advertising firm. He takes his stepsister into his home, though he scarcely knows her. Because he and his wife have no children of their own, Portia is disturbing to them.

Anna Quayne, Thomas’ wife. Her friendship for Eddie arouses a confused jealousy in Portia. Anna...

The Death of the Heart | The Death of the Heart

At a glance:

Characters Discussed

Join eNotes