The Dark Flower
1914
The Dark Flower, written by John Galsworthy and first published in 1914, is a novel that explores complex emotional themes such as love, desire, and societal constraints. The story follows Mark Lennan, a sensitive Oxford student, as he becomes involved with Anna Stormer, a married woman. Their relationship reveals the tension between youthful passion and mature restraint, highlighting the moral dilemmas that arise from their connection. Galsworthy's rich, lyrical style enhances the narrative's exploration of the intricacies of human relationships.
Editions
X-Ray
“Then a silence fell between them. She had ceased to lean against him, and he missed the cosy friendliness of it. Now that their voices and the cawings of the rooks had ceased, there was nothing heard but the dry rustle of the leaves, and the plaintive cry of a buzzard hawk hunting over the little tor across the river. There were nearly always two up there, quartering the sky. To the boy it was lovely, that silence”
— John Galsworthy
“Pentru tanarul Lennan urma apoi o perioada stranie, in care nu-si dadea seama de la un minut la altul daca era sau nu fericit, cautand sa fie mereu cu Anna, agitandu-se daca nu reusea, necajindu-se daca ea vorbea sau zambea altuia;cand se afla insa alaturi de ea tot nelinistit si nemultumit era, suferind din pricina timiditatii sale””
— John Galsworthy
“It was as if his spirit were in prison. It would have been nice, indeed, to be that water, never staying, passing, passing; or wind, touching everything, never caught. To be able to do nothing without hurting someone - that was what was so ghastly.If only one were like a flower, that just sprang up and lived its life all to itself, and died. But whatever he did, or said now, would be like telling lies, or else being cruel. The only thing was to keep away from people.””
— John Galsworthy
