Susan Miles

A 20th century example of a novel in verse, 'Lettice Delmer' shares certain thematic echoes with predecessors like 'Aurora Leigh' or the narrative poetry of Augusta Webster (the treatment of the fallen woman/Magdalen theme). Its most remarkable feature is the understated, ironic and realistic treatment of the melodramatic plot (a good example is the use of misunderstanding and error in the heroine's conversion scene). The underlying theme of the poem is the conflict (and similarity) between chance and heavenly design, and the tortuous ways of redemption. A great Persephone rediscovery.… (altro)