The House of the Dead Hand by Edith Wharton
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- Опубликовано: 3 авг 2023
- Edith Wharton was born Edith Newbold Jones on January 24, 1862, into a wealthy New York family. She was a prolific writer, known for her insightful and critical portrayal of the American upper class. Her most famous works include "The Age of Innocence," "Ethan Frome," and "The House of Mirth." Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921. She was also a keen designer, traveler, and a dedicated supporter of French efforts during World War I, for which she was awarded the French Legion of Honor.
The Story and Its Context: "The House of the Dead Hand" was published in 1904, a time when Wharton was beginning to establish herself as a serious writer. This was a period of significant personal and social change for Wharton. She was beginning to question the constraints of her privileged New York society, and these themes of societal constraints and personal freedom are evident in the story. The story also reflects Wharton's love for Italy and her deep knowledge of art and culture.
"The House of the Dead Hand" by Edith Wharton is a compelling exploration of power dynamics, personal freedom, and the enduring influence of the past. The story centers around Miss Lombard, a woman trapped by her father's control and his obsession with a Leonardo da Vinci painting. Even after her father's death, she remains ensnared by his influence, symbolized by the painting she cannot sell. This narrative can be seen as a critique of patriarchal control, reflecting Wharton's own questioning of societal constraints. From a Freudian perspective, Miss Lombard's complex relationship with her father can be interpreted as a manifestation of the Elektra complex. The story also incorporates elements of Jungian psychology, with the painting serving as a powerful symbol of the unconscious. Wharton's narrative structure effectively builds tension, foreshadows dramatic events, and delivers a chilling twist, leaving a lasting impression of Miss Lombard's despair and entrapment.
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I stayed in Wharton's house (The Mount) in the Berkshires (Lenox) Massachusetts. It's easy to see how people can become victims..um..perhaps more so "enslaved" to their beautiful homes. The grounds and gardens are wonderful; one can easily get "in thrall" and kind of lost in reverie. There are a few rooms that just pulled me in to where all I wanted to do was sit and read the books of that era all day long. I definitely believe there are all kinds of ghosts in houses, especially ones that lull and persuade people to never leave.
+Trace-Elementz13 Oh, I’d like to go there
I don’t understand how someone wouldn’t find this story scary - the thought of being in thrall to your father, even in death, is terrifying. Who needs ghosts?
Wharton was so brilliant and I'm glad you're exploring her lesser-known catalogue. I love her obvious adoration for the genre and her deftness with character.
The most soothing narrative voice ever...
Awesome story and narration.
I like your discussion of the power to choose in your chat. The spoiler police will lambaste me if I say anything more.
You are a sage!
An exceptional reading, Your sensitivity and attention to Wharton is so welcome.
Thank you. I'm a big fan of her work
A lot to think about in this one and I found your analysis particularly interesting on a personal level. Virtually a free counselling session!
Thank you very much.
I just love the way that you share your connection between working experience in sociological psychology employment & your passion for literature & writing.
I am of the belief that Human Development be an integrated & taught aspect in education, as an informed body cruising through the chaos of life can apply the physiological & psychological application of HUMAN BEINGNESS so that one can separate out of the environmental chaos & make personally informed CHOICES in deciphering the cognitive coding of the ANIMAL DEVELOPING BRAIN & PHYSIOLOGY with the ADVANCED SOCIALIZED PSYCHOLOGY. Your work on this platform is advanced in the layers of historical psychology, sociology, cultural rhetorics AND you APPLY these (sometimes divergent) connective language in a PRACTICAL & ACCESSIBLE way so that one might better understand their OWN LIVES as “we discuss” the written characterization & experiences “witnessed” through STORYTELLING- this is the oldest form of communication, and there is no doubt that storytelling REMAINS a SEED for INDIVIDUAL HUMAN EXPANSION & socialized understanding. It is no wonder why listeners are inherently drawn towards your channel. God/dess Bless❣️☯️💟☮️☸️🕉️💙❣️🎉
i guess I have become so used to doing it in work i do it automatically with characters from stories
Before I found this channel I did not know who Edith Wharton was. Now I am excited when I see her name because I know I am in for a treat, a slow-burn ghost story. I love a slow hand (with a pen in it). I don't like when horror movies/stories scare the unholy Hell right out of me in the first few minutes. Just let the terror and the chills build slowly for a while and then comes the climax of the story. This leaves me thinking about it long after it is over...
Edith Wharton on my birthday! What a treat.💜
Happy Birthday; Happy Elizabeth Wharton.
Happy birthday, Darling!
Happy Birthday🎂
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday mate.
I can't believe I saw this. I was just casting about on YT, not even on my home page when I tapped this and saw it had only been out 22 minutes. Thank you!
Hope you enjoyed it!
A terrifying tale, depiction of heavy psychological chains that often bound us. Elegant narration, interesting, informative "ramblings" which must be heard again. Masterful as always,Tony. Thank you!
Delightfully, chillingly, scary! Edith Wharton is such a treat, especially narrated by you, Tony, thank you. Puppy love to the puppies.
Really enjoyed the analysis at the end, esp’ the psychology element which explained emotional disorder better than any of the mental health workers I’ve known.
The esoteric nature of the painting. The jealousy it inspires. The isolation and inevitable self destruction that results. Electra is the climax not the whole story.
Thank you dear Tony, again 😄🌞
as someone who does suffer from emotionally unstable personality disorder, your discussion at the end was absolutely correct, especially regarding its potential role in the story.
my father passed away three years ago this april and yeah, i feel that complicated relationship. it sounds like the lady of the story may also be dealing with complex grief, precipitated by her disordered relationship with her father.
Completely enjoyed this story time... Thank you 🤗😊😉
Glad you enjoyed it!
Lovely story and a lovely narration. I always find myself peeved by the Victorian/Edwardian sense of decorum. Wyant's refusal to allow his humanity to override his sense of professional courtesy or etiquette makes him as much a villain as Lombard, if there is a villain to be had. Multifaceted social criticism.
ditto this time around, Tony! Thank you!!!!!
Very welcome
Edith Wharton never disappoints. This is an odd one but I did enjoy the complexity of the story. I enjoy the process of finding and appreciating little nuggets easily missed in the 1st listen. 💜
You are en flic.
@@ClassicGhostI'm a cop? Sorry my French is rusty 😊
@violetfemme411 sure you didn't just use Google translate?
@@BamBabyBrenda What an odd thing to say. Actually I used to speak French relatively well, as my best friend was fluent AND I studied it in high school. Does that satisfy your curiosity?
The horror in the story is the challenge to our framework of causation and agency.
The daughter could have left. She had the opportunity. Her life could have moved on to a new phase and she could have realised her potential. She stayed and she is fixed forever in this situation, unable to love a man or have her own family. The daughter and her mother have become discontented 'ghosts' in the presence of an incredibly valuable painting that neither of them appreciate. It's like the dead souls with long spoons, unable to feed themselves.
The father has set it up and has left it running unsupervised. His controlling actions are strong enough to work even after he gas gone.
A key element is demonstrated when he says the painting belongs to his daughter and the visitor has to ask HER for access.
Abusive parents and partners do this; life becomes all about what WE do and believe, rather than something imposed and external. Who can rebel against oneself?
This will be a good one to look forward to. Thanks Tony!
Thank you Tony what a treat for a Friday night
Wow! Tony , your talk about the endless circle of parent child need, love, hate cycle. It was as if you know my Mum and my Brother!
It is a surprisingly recognisable situation, if not extremely common.
I guess if you're living with it, it is easy to imagine every family has a drama like this.
I have never been in a family who don't have these issues.
I have navigated a safe passage through my own tangle, but it's terrible watching my Mum go through the guilt, punishment daily grind with my Brother who has failed to launch and is in his 50s living at home.
He now has stage 4 cancer so you can imagine the massive woof guilt he has to sling at her.
Ironically getting sick was almost a wish come true for him. Now no reason to justify sponging.
Be careful what you wish for eh?!
Sorry Tony, there's my horror story.
Thanks for posting.
👍🔻🇦🇺😱
We all think we our situations are unique, but they rarely are. It's tough though.
Thanks Tony,
You deal with this all the time, you don't need more.
I enjoyed your talk on the story.
Yay! 🎉 Edith Wharton.❤
Thank you for the wonderful story and storytelling!!
Again. You are AMAZING 🤩
Bravo!!👍
I think you just helped me figure out some deep seated family dynamics. A bit overwhelming, but I'm grateful for your ability to lay these things out in woeds. I've read a bit of Winnicott, which this reminded me of. You have a beautiful gift of helping through talking.
+@claudiaquintero2937 Thank you. It was my profession I suppose though I’m giving it up now
@@ClassicGhost even though it might not stay your profession, it will always be part of your design, along with all of your other aspects. I gave up being an art professor, which I loved. But now it turns out I actually have time to paint. Sometimes it's hard to accept, but I know that I'm still a teacher, it will always be part of me. Your recordings of a few years ago are still reaching those who need to hear. Thanks, man!
You really bring these stories to life! Most enjoyable. Well done. ❤
+FluffyDuck You are most kind
Thanks
Thank you very much
Whoa!
I don’t always listen to your commentary after the stories: although generally I love them, sometimes I am just looking to enjoy the story with my own experience/interpretation. THIS time, I did, and whoa!!!! Thank you for the psychoanalysis of the power of “ghosts” of our past relationships! I KNEW this, but keep falling afoul. Your explanation this time, thankfully, seems to be really resonating with me, giving me fresh insights to where I am falling short in some current relationships. Thank you for this gift!
…although of course, I am now also wracked by guilt of my own past( and current, even though the kiddos are adults..) transgressions as a parent….😉
we're just people. Most of us do our best :)
I believe there is something you could add to your assessment of the women in this story. It could be said that the mother and daughter continued to create the doctor's presence in their lives, long after he had died. They created it to such an extent that even visitors coming into the presence of the painting felt it.
😊thanks
I've heard it said (unfortunately, I forget where and by whom) that storytelling was how humanity discussed and worked out psychological issues for millennia before we made a separate, specialized discipline of psychology. I don't think this was storytelling's *only* function (history-keeping, ethics, philosophy, and pure entertainment also come to mind), but the principle rings true to me--I definitely think stories are a more engaging and oftentimes deeper method of exploring the psyche than textbooks!
sounds like Joseph Campbell
@@ClassicGhost Maybe? I seem to remember hearing it in a video of some kind, but maybe the person was quoting Campbell.
Have a safe trip!
Going on Tuesday :)
I've heard this before, but really tried to listen this time. I think what is scary is what is hinted at but not directly said. I've also read The House of Mirth, and I saw the movie. It's pretty depressing...Gillian Anderson did a great job in the movie. You did a great job on this narration, as always. Thanks.
Why did the daughter buy the painting in the first place?
The undercurrent of this story is so sad and terrifying and very real. I wonder how the Victorians sorted out their lack of nurturing from their parents when the thinking of the day was to be stern and distant?
Good night to you sir 😊
Morning!
It wasn’t a Ghost Story, in the way that “seatons Aunt” isn’t a Ghost Story, and you may agree that there is a similarity between them, though Seatons Aunt is definitely very chilling, or “Scary” which is what people like these days.
The Painter Schalken, is controlled by his Master, who thinks him to be too poor to marry his niece. I don’t think Schalken is a coward, but sadly, knows his place, and sees his beloved snatched away against her will, by the dead Vanderhausen.
That’s definitely a Ghost Story!
💛
You are so jammy!
Uh, yeah, get that car fixed! I saw that happen in city traffic, fortunately when the driver was already almost at a stop, just barely out of the way of train tracks she had just crossed, and a train came through before her car could be towed. So, so so sososo SO lucky!
Wow! Yes, I got it fixed. You know when you get to the point that different things start going on a car and you wonder whether it's worth keeping on fixing it.
@@ClassicGhost Ah, yes, that stressful, circular debate between the potential cost of a car that may or may not keep falling apart vs the definite cost of a new but reliable vehicle. I know it well. Good luck!
I don't think there's much ambiguity about this being a ghost story. The only ambiguity is the nature of the demonic/ghostly presence that predates the final ghost, roughly analogous to the Overlook Hotel from King's THE SHINING.
Good point. Hence the Dead Hand?
It ended so suddenly as if it was mid sentence. Please help me get it 😔
It all wrapped up. He follows up and there she is, stuck, IMPOTENT, but blames HIM!
i knew Wharton would nail that fellow for the stuffy idiot he was. Great reading of a great story. Thanks!
You know I have a general disdain for reaction videos and narrator commentary. It's generally just restating what is already obvious to the viewer or some pedantic pseudo insightful review which is nothing more than a pitifully desperate attempt to have some relevance while riding the coattails of the main content. Your discussion I actually found rather interesting and provided meaningful context of the author's perspective. Perhaps a tad long winded in spots but otherwise quite good. I rarely review content like this but a job well done deserves recognition. Keep up the good work!
"It's not scary" grumble grumble. No, you lunkheads. IT'S HORRIFYING. Thank you, Tony, for the story.
Is the third presence in the room the father? Or the painting?
Oooh. I like that. I would like it to be the painting.
30:00
Was the painter of the picture Mrs. Lombard?
You don't give children credit. They can stand up to loads of personal attacks and pain, but the scars aren't apparent. But the British upper class were cruel and sadistic.
Is that what we sound like when we complain?
Like Ruby? Lol. She was trying to take a bone off her brother, but she only wanted it because he had it. She had her own anyway.
2:22 "suzerainty":
the right of a country to partly control another: eg
"Japan acknowledged Russian suzerainty over the island of Sakhalin".
See also. suzerain.
I knew that. Honest. 😂
Wharton seems to me to be psychotic and getting back at the tyranny of the day, regarding the upper class and women in general. Horrible life, she describes.
Regarding the possession of houses over human will, don't forget Stephen King's Overlook Hotel, which lived on by who it could draw into itself. The original film was a great disappointment to me, as minutes into it you could tell this would be about the mental illness of the caretaker, which was not nearly scary as a building which would possess you.
Anyone interested in literature overlook s.king.
It's Stanley Kubrick's The Shining as far as I'm concerned.
And some people complain that Lovecraft was unnecessarily verbose. This story is the literary equivalent to an Army Basic Training obstacle course combined with a forced march through poison oak, barefoot and in one's underwear.
End of the story you told us to get axe
Creepier
Just an odd story about nothing at all IMO
That's unfortunate