Structure

The short story “The Demon Lover” by Elizabeth Bowen has a non-traditional structure. The story focuses on events taking place in 1941, during World War II, particularly during Germany’s bombing campaigns in the UK. The beginning of the story introduces Mrs. Kathleen Drover, the main character, going into her shut-down London home to fetch some things:

Toward the end of her day in London Mrs. Drover went round to her shut­-up house to look for several things she wanted to take away. Some belonged to herself, some to her family, who were by now used to their country life. It was late August; it had been a steamy, showery day.

Tension rises when Mrs. Drover thinks about the man that takes care of the house: 

She had been anxious to see how the house was—the part-time caretaker she shared with some neighbors was away this week on his holiday, known to be not yet back. At the best of times he did not look in often, and she was never sure that she trusted him.

The atmosphere becomes i...