The Little Dream: An Allegory in Six Scenes

Name: The Little Dream: An Allegory in Six Scenes
Author: John Galsworthy

By John Galsworthy

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

British Literature Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

A mountain-set allegory centers on a young local woman who shelters a visiting climber and a taciturn guide; a brief intimacy precedes her sleep and an extended dream in which the surrounding peaks become animated, symbolic presences. The six-scene structure alternates hut-bound realism with visionary tableaux populated by anthropomorphic mountains, dancing youths, and emblematic objects, using ritualized images to blur waking life and reverie. The work examines yearning between rooted village existence and the lure of the wider world, restless ambition, desire, and the approach of death, and moves through natural and mythical imagery toward a contemplative, ambiguous summons into the unknown.

About the Author

John Galsworthy

John Galsworthy was an English novelist and playwright, best known for his literary exploration of social issues and the human condition. His most notable work, the Forsyte Saga, delves into the lives of a wealthy family in Victorian England, highlighting themes of class and morality. Galsworthy's writing is characterized by its keen observation and rich character development, often reflecting his own experiences and the societal changes of his time. In addition to his novels, he contributed significantly to the theatre with plays such as "A Family Man" and "The Complete Plays of John Galsworthy." His works remain an important part of early 20th-century literature, showcasing the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations.