Literature in a Long Fatal Love Chase
Alcott’s Novel is Full of Literary and Mythological References
May 7, 2009
Louisa May Alcott wrote A Long Fatal Love Chase in the short time frame of two months. The novel was intended for serial publication and required dramatic pacing with a cliffhanger at the end of every installment. Pressed for time and space, Alcott relied on well-known cultural references as a short cut to create character, tone, and mood.
Fair Rosamond
Fair Rosamond is how most people commonly refer to Rosamond Clifford, the young woman who was involved in a love triangle with Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine. Legend suggests that Eleanor offered Rosamond a choice between being killed by a knife or drinking poison. Rosamond drank poison.
However, history doesn’t agree with the romantic account of the situation. Rosamond did not die after her relationship with King Henry was over. Like Rosamond from Alcott’s novel, Rosamond Clifford hid in a monastery. However, unlike Rosamond Vivian, Rosamond Clifford did not die. For twenty years she served as a popular nun at the convent Godestow. It seems clear that Alcott intended for the reader to view Rosamond as the innocent and pure seductee of a man of power.
The Circe
The Circe is the name of Philip Tempest’s boat. According to Behind the Name, it is the Latinized version of the Greek name Kirke and possibly means “bird.” It is probable that Alcott intended to conjure the image of a bird when she name the boat Circe “for with all sail set the Circe was flying out to sea, and this time there was no return for Rosamond.” (56)
In addition to the idea of a bird, the name Circe recalls the Circe of Greek mythology. A sorceress and daughter of the sun, Circe turned Odysseus’ men into pigs when they landed on her island. However, Odysseus was spared because Hermes had protected him by giving him an herb that serves as a ward against her power. As a result, she and Odysseus become lovers and have a child named Telegonus.
Hero and Leander
Hero and Leander are characters from Greek mythology that Tempest refers to when he asks Rosamond “Is Hero looking for her Leander?” (20) In mythology, Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite, fell in love with Leander. Leander lived on one side of the Hellespont (a strait dividing Europe and Asia) and Hero lived on the other side in a tower. Hero would set in a lamp at the top of the tower every night so that Leander could swim across the Hellespont and find her.
They were lovers for the summer but during the winter a storm blew out Hero’s light and Leander lost his way and drowned. Overwhelmed by grief, Hero jumped from her tower and joined Leander in death.
Eve
Ippolito and Rosamond scheme to find out what Tempest and Rose’s grandfather do in the evenings. When Tempest walks in, they cover their activities by dancing, however, Tempest seems to know that something is up and asks “Well, what is it, little Eve?”
Alcott probably intended for the reference to recall all the negative symbolism that surrounds Eve the wife of Adam. Eve’s part in the fall from God’s grace has caused history and mankind to view her (and all women) as conniving, deceitful, weak-willed, easily tempted, and seductive.
Saint Ignatius
Father Ignatius is a father figure, lover, hero, and saint in the eyes of Rosamond. He is a father by virtue of his calling as a priest and his functions at the monastery where she hides. He also serves as a father in the charade they play while on the boat attempting to escape Tempest.
He is a lover. Father Ignatius falls in love with Rosamond and it doesn’t take long for Rosamond to guess that Ignatius loves her. Yet Ignatius is true to his calling as priest and takes care to only love her from a distance so that he can maintain his proper role.
Ignatius is a hero. Before he became a priest he was Bayard Conde a young Duke who led the students in a revolution and he acts heroically to rescue Rosamond from Tempest.
Ignatius is a saint. While Ignatius is never explicitly called a saint in the novel, his actions proclaim him one to the heart of Rosamond and to the heart of the reader. His unwillingness to give vent to his love of Rosamond and his unwillingness to let Rosamond requite his love reveals the depth of his commitment to the Christ and the Church. In fact, despite his abhorrence of Tempest and his desire to protect Rosamond he resists the temptation to kill Tempest by saying “I will not stain my hands with blood nor send you out of this world till you are fitter for another.” (322)
Many of the characteristics of Ignatius and some of his background are similar to the historical account of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. In his youth Ignatius fought as a solider for Antonio Manrique de Lara the Duke of Najara and the Viceroy of Navarre Castile. He fought in many battles and was possessed of strong leadership and diplomatic talents. He eventually became an officer. After becoming an officer, he was severely wounded in the legs.
During his convalescence, Ignatius reads many books. He read a commentary on the gospels that contained quotes from a variety of Fathers of the church. He decided to devote his life to the church. Eventually, he formed the Society of Jesus, which became the Jesuit order of monks. He is now a saint of the Catholic Church.
The similarities between Rosamond’s Ignatius and Saint Ignatius are obvious. Particularly notable is the fact that both were ex-soldiers. While it is natural that Ignatius would have the Saint’s name since monks and nuns always take on the names of saints when they join an order, the similarities are more than just those of name.
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