All Passion Spent

Infobox Book |
name = All Passion Spent
author = Vita Sackville-West
country = Great Britain
language = English
genre = Literary fiction
publisher = The Hogarth Press
pub_date = 1931
media_type = Print

"All Passion Spent" is a literary fiction novel by Vita Sackville-West. Published in 1931, it is one of Sackville-West’s most popular works and has been adapted for television by the BBC.

This charming and gentle novel addresses peoples’, especially women’s, control of their own lives, a subject about which Sackville-West was greatly concerned although often pointing out that she did not consider herself a feminist.

Plot introduction

All Passion Spent is written in three parts, primarily from the view of an intimate observer.The first part introduces Lady Slane at the time of her husband’s death.She has been the dutiful wife of a “great man”, wife to a Viceroy of India and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Her children arrange to distribute her few remaining years amongst themselvesbut, completely unexpectedly, Lady Slane makes her own choice. Sheretreats to a cottage by Hampstead Heath to live her end days luxuriating in reflection, wanting to be surrounded only by people “closer to the end of their life than the start”. Part 1 concludes with Lady Slane’s developing friendships with Mr Bucktrout,her landlord, and Mr Gosheron, the builder renovating her cottage.

Part 2, shorter than the others, is composed of Lady Slane’sthoughts as she muses in the summer sun. She relives youthful events,reviews her life, and considers life’s influences and controls, happiness and relationships.

Summer is over. Part 3 takes place after Lady Slane has settled into her cottage, her contemplative life, and approaching end. To her initial annoyance, her life and her past proves to link her to people and events; Mr FitzGeorge, an acquaintance from India, introduces himselfand they form a quiet but playful and understanding friendship.

Mr FitzGeorge bequeaths his fortune and outstanding art collection to Lady Slane,causing great consternation amongst her children. Lady Slane, avoidingthe responsibility of vast wealth gives FitzGeorge’s collection and fortuneto the state, much to her children’s disgust and her maid’s amusement.Lady Slane discovers that relinquishing the fortune has permittedDeborah, her great-granddaughter, to break-off her engagement and pursue music,Deborah taking the path the Lady Slane herself could not.

Characters in “All Passion Spent”

Lady Slane (Lady Holland, Deborah Lee). The central character, an 88 year old woman who,towards the end of her life, is emancipated by her husband's death. Sharing much withSackville-West, Lady Slane explicitly states that she is not a feminist and considers such issues to be questions of human rights, while acknowledging the more difficult position of women.

Mr FitzGeorge. An acquaintance from Lady Slane’s distant past as Vicereine of India,millionaire by inheritance, lover of beauty and fine art. An eccentric who lives as a pauper.

Genoux. Lady Slane’s 86 year old French maid and companion, who has served Lady Slane her entire adult life.

Mr Bucktrout. The elderly and eccentric owner and agent of Lady Slane’s cottage, who forms an understanding and regular friendship with Lady Slane.

Mr Gosheron. A builder, of advanced years, introduced by Mr Bucktrout torenovate Lady Slane’s cottage.

Kay. A “chubby old gentleman” who is Lady Slane’s youngest son. Kay lives alone with his collection of astrolabes and instruments,his only friend is Mr FitzGeorge.

Edith. Lady Slane’s youngest daughter (60), undisciplined and easily flustered,to her siblings amusement and distaste.

Herbert. Lady Slane’s eldest boy (68), married to Mabel, member of parliament.

Carrie. Lady Slane’s daughter, married to Roland.

Charles. Lady Slane’s son, a retired general.

William. Lady Slane’s parsimonious son (64), married to the equally miserly Lavinia.

Deborah. Lady Slane’s great granddaughter.

Richard. Herbet’s eldest son.

Major themes

All Passion Spent echoes some of Sackville-West’s primary concerns [Glendinning, V. Introduction to All Passion Spent. Virago 1983.] : people’s placein society, society’s constrictions on people, and women’s control of their lives.Sackville-West, voiced by Lady Slane, disavowed feminism and like her friend Virginia Woolf, considered the issues raised were issues of human rights rather than women’s rights.

Adaptations

In 1986 All Passion Spent was adapted into a 3 episode BBC television series starring Wendy Hiller as Lady Slane.

Notes