
The Dance of Death
'The Dance of Death ' Summary
Alice’s only hope of release from her husband’s tyranny lies in the fact that he is ill and might die at any time. On their silver wedding anniversary, Curt, Alice’s cousin, arrives on the island to officiate as the quarantine officer. On his first visit to Edgar and Alice he learns about the life that they lead, when Edgar suffers an attack and Alice gloats over her husband’s illness. Curt, who was divorced by his wife, also learns that Edgar caused the divorce and persuaded the court to award the custody of the children to Curt’s wife.
During the two days that Edgar is ill, grave changes take place in the three people. Alice turns gray-haired. Feeling that the time has come when she should admit her age, she stops tinting her hair. She also becomes an object of distrust to Curt, for she tries to make love to her cousin while her husband is ill. Curt, unable to understand her actions, cannot fully realize how much she hates her husband and how much she suffered during the past twenty-five years. Edgar himself resembles a corpse after his illness, but he immediately tries, upon his recovery, to dominate the others.
On the third day after his attack the captain tells his wife he is going to divorce her. In retaliation, she tries to have him convicted of the embezzlement of government funds, of which he is innocent. She also embraces her cousin Curt in her husband’s presence, at which time Edgar tries to kill her with his saber. After that incident, both husband and wife become calm, admitting they tortured each other enough. They both say they hope that they can get along with each other peaceably, if not happily.
Book Details
Authors

August Strindberg
Sweden
Johan August Strindberg was a Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, essayist and painter. A prolific writer who often drew directly on his personal experience, Strindberg's career spanned four decades,...
Books by August StrindbergListen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books

Rover Vol. 01 No. 11 by Lawrence Labree
The Rover was a mid-19th-century American literary magazine publishing original and selected short stories and poetry, with engravings. This is the el...

Dr. Sam by Eugene Field
Dr. Sam, a collection of poems by Eugene Field, is a delightful and poignant exploration of childhood. Field's verses are known for their gentle humor...

The Frozen Deep by Charles Dickens
The Frozen Deep is an 1856 play, originally staged as an amateur theatrical, written by Wilkie Collins under the substantial guidance of Charles Dicke...

Our Little English Cousin by Blanche McManus
This charming book offers American children a glimpse into the lives of their young English counterparts. Through lively descriptions and engaging ane...

Eye for an Eye by Anthony Trollope
In 'Eye for an Eye', Anthony Trollope explores the complexities of love and duty in a society defined by social hierarchy. The story centers on a youn...

The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare
The Comedy of Errors is one of William Shakespeare's early plays. It is his shortest and one of his most farcical comedies, with a major part of the h...

Dead Joke and The Funny Man by James Whitcomb Riley
This collection of poetry, 'Dead Joke and The Funny Man', by James Whitcomb Riley, showcases his signature style of humor and heartwarming storytellin...

Actions And Reactions by Rudyard Kipling
This collection of short stories by Rudyard Kipling explores themes of adventure, morality, and the human condition. The stories are set in various ti...

Shakespeare Monologues Collection vol. 10 (Multilingual) by William Shakespeare
This is the tenth collection of monologues from Shakespeare’s plays. Containing 20 parts.

Entrapped by Alice Mangold Diehl
Set against the backdrop of a stormy night, "Entrapped" follows Zoe Blount's life as she navigates complex family ties and a compelling mystery. The s...
Reviews for The Dance of Death
No reviews posted or approved, yet...