Wintry Peacock: From "the New Decameron", Volume III.

A short story included in ''The New Decameron,'' written in the early 20th century. This piece revolves around themes of love, jealousy, and infidelity, intertwined with vivid imagery of a wintry setting that encapsulates the emotional landscape of its characters. The narrative unfolds with a protagonist who engages in a peculiar interaction with the enigmatic Mrs. Goyte, shedding light on their complex emotional turmoil. In the story, the protagonist encounters a mysterious young woman named Mrs. Goyte, who enlists him to read a love letter penned by her husband to another woman, Elise, in Belgium. As she reveals the dynamics of her marriage, it becomes clear that her husband, a charming yet careless character named Alfred, has caused her emotional pain through his infidelities. Through their discourse, Lawrence layers the story with deeper emotions, creating a portrait of a woman who oscillates between vulnerability and fierce independence. The symbolism of the peacock, particularly the character Joey, serves to reflect both beauty and fragility, tying the characters' experiences to the overarching themes of longing and entrapment in human relationships.