The Plumed Serpent

Written during his stay in New Mexico in 1924, but published in 1926, The Plumed Serpent is Lawrence’s tenth novel. The plot deals with primitive Mexican cults through the revival of an ancient religion seen through the eyes of Kate Leslie, at the start a tourist, by the end some kind of devotee. In some respects, the plot might be construed as secondary to Lawrence’s examination of the Mexican culture he found, using set-piece scenes such as the opening at a bull fight, the tea party at Tlacolula and the attack on Jamilteepec. By having Kate Leslie removed by degrees from both her own social set, but also disengaged from a complete immersion into the ancient religion she is witnessing, Lawrence is able to provide a loose commentary on both. That she finally gives in to one side and not the other might be evidence enough to show what Lawrence was moving away from himself.