The Unlit Lamp

The Unlit Lamp (1924) is a novel by Radclyffe Hall. After publishing several collections of poems, Hall turned to fiction in 1924 with two successful novels. The Unlit Lamp is the story of a young woman with an unhappy home life who falls in love with an older teacher and dreams of moving to London to become a doctor. Despite her independent spirit, Joan struggles to escape the clutches of her controlling mother. "Mrs. Ogden put her hand up to her head wearily, glancing at Joan as she did so. Joan was so quick to respond to the appeal of illness. Mrs. Ogden would not have admitted to herself how much she longed for this quick response and sympathy. [...] There were times, growing more frequent of late, when she longed, yes, longed to break down utterly, to become bedridden, to be waited upon hand and foot, to have arresting symptoms of her own, any number of them." Unhappily married to the Colonel, a cold and distant man, Mrs. Ogden depends on her daughters for emotional support. As Joan and Milly draw closer the age of independence, however, their mother begins thinking up ways to keep them at home, stifling their personal interests and desires. When Elizabeth Rodney, a governess, arrives to teach the sisters, Joan develops not only an attraction to the older woman, but a desire to move with her to London, where she dreams of becoming a doctor. Tragic and psychologically piercing, The Unlit Lamp is a story of friendship, family, and desire that continues to be recognized as a groundbreaking work of lesbian literature. This edition of Radclyffe Hall's The Unlit Lamp is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.
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About the author

Radclyffe Hall was an English author best known for her groundbreaking works exploring themes of sexuality, gender identity, and social norms. Born in 1880, she gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly for her novel "The Well of Loneliness," which centers on the struggles of a lesbian protagonist. Another significant work, "The Unlit Lamp," delves into the life of Joan Ogden, a young woman navigating her identity amid societal expectations and familial pressures.
Hall's writing often challenged conventions, addressing the complexities of love and identity. She was an influential figure in the LGBTQ+ literary canon, remembered for her candid portrayals of same-sex relationships at a time when such topics were often taboo. Her work contributed to the discourse around gender and sexuality, providing a voice for those marginalized by society. Hall passed away in 1943, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to inspire and provoke thought today.

Summary

The Unlit Lamp (1924) is a novel by Radclyffe Hall. After publishing several collections of poems, Hall turned to fiction in 1924 with two successful novels. The Unlit Lamp is the story of a young woman with an unhappy home life who falls in love with an older teacher and dreams of moving to London to become a doctor. Despite her independent spirit, Joan struggles to escape the clutches of her controlling mother. “Mrs. Ogden put her hand up to her head wearily, glancing at Joan as she did so. Joan was so quick to respond to the appeal of illness. Mrs. Ogden would not have admitted to herself how much she longed for this quick response and sympathy. […] There were times, growing more frequent of late, when she longed, yes, longed to break down utterly, to become bedridden, to be waited upon hand and foot, to have arresting symptoms of her own, any number of them.” Unhappily married to the Colonel, a cold and distant man, Mrs. Ogden depends on her daughters for emotional support. As Joan and Milly draw closer the age of independence, however, their mother begins thinking up ways to keep them at home, stifling their personal interests and desires. When Elizabeth Rodney, a governess, arrives to teach the sisters, Joan develops not only an attraction to the older woman, but a desire to move with her to London, where she dreams of becoming a doctor. Tragic and psychologically piercing, The Unlit Lamp is a story of friendship, family, and desire that continues to be recognized as a groundbreaking work of lesbian literature. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Radclyffe Hall’s The Unlit Lamp is a classic work of British literature reimagined for modern readers.

Product details

• Authors: Radclyffe Hall
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 23.09.2021
• EAN: 9781513208381
• ISBN: 978-1-5132-0838-1
• No. of pages: 320
• Illustrations: Illustrationen, nicht spezifiziert
• Series: Mint Editions; Mint Editions—Reading With Pride; Mint Editions (Reading With Pride)
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; FICTION / Literary, Family life fiction, Relating to lesbians, FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian, Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary