"The Demon Lover" October 7, 2001
             Elizabeth Bowen's short story "The Demon Lover" is a quite intriguing and interesting story. Mrs. Drover is the protagonist while her former lover or his spirit is the antagonist of the story. Mrs. Drover had been his fiancée until he was missing and presumed killed. When he left they promised to each other that that would meet again at "the hour arranged." (88) This symbolizes their commitment to each other forever, no matter where or who they are with in their life. Mrs. Drover vividly remembers the moment when her fiancé leaves for war and twenty-five years later she can still describe it accurately. She states how "she verified his presence for these few moments longer by putting out a hand, which he each time pressed, without very much kindness, and painfully, on to one of the breast buttons of his uniform." (88) Her vivid description of the last moment between her and her lover shows how much this meant to her after she realized he is gone and will not return. In contrast to this moment, she doesn't describe her first encounter with her husband in any detail, showing the importance or lack of importance she places on their relationship.
             The letter received by Mrs. Drover is quite interesting to the action of the story. When she reads the letter it says, "You will not have forgotten that today is our anniversary" (88) this should automatically tell her that the person who wrote this is in near proximity to her. If he could predict the day the mail would arrive to a certain point then he is a genius. The simple fact that he states "today" (88) should make her aware of the fact that this letter was personally delivered by hand. Mrs. Drover refers to the "caretaker" (87 & 89) in a few instances throughout the story, which seems to symbolize her former lover coming back to make
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