A Lost Lady

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A Lost Lady

Given the title of the novel ‘A lost lady,' many possible meanings of the term ‘lady' can be inferred. The title illuminates a classy woman who dominates male authority. The title also presents a materialistic woman who transcends communal boundaries by departing from the social notions of womanhood in a patriarchal society. It insinuates that the ‘lady' dismantles the general perception that women are meant to be subservient. A lady is also a woman having proprietary authority as a feudal superior. From another perspective, the ‘lady' depicts the portrait of an exemplary woman who defies the conventional societal norms.

The irony of the novel elicits questions about the choice of the title. It illuminates the character of Marian as only lost when looked from a male perspective. The irony is accentuated after looking at Marian's character from different perspectives – she was not a lost lady as portrayed. A deeper analysis of the reference of Marian as a ‘lost' could mean that she was gone and was no longer in the memory. It could refer to her infidelity character.

The portrait of the woman illuminated by Cather depicts a woman who was fascinating to men. According to Cather's description, Mrs. Forrester had a lot of admiration from Neil. We learn that Neil often showered compliments about her glamour. She seemed more intelligent than others. According to page 38 of Chapter 3, Marian bowed and looked at only those individuals she had a personal relationship with. Her fragility and grace, her mouth and her eyes were so conspicuous that they easily attracted attention (38).

Mrs. Forrester could not stand being poor. When advising Niel, she says, "Money is a very important thing. Realize that in the beginning; face it, and don't be ridiculous in the end, like so many of us" (p. 120). Here was when the Forresters’ had lost all their fortunes.

The narrator throughout the novel introduces the sexuality of Mrs. Forrester as an assertive lady. However, Niel fails to accept Mrs. Forrester's sexuality when he refers to her as "a bright, impersonal memory" (p. 171). Readers who understand the narrator's tone can deduce that the narrator's biased description was instigated by his personal needs and deficiencies.  Other readers accept Niel as a reliable narrator who depicts Mrs. Forrester as charming but shallow, traitorous and ethically excellent.