THE DEPICTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN HOLLY RINGLAND’S  NOVEL THE LOST FLOWERS OF ALICE HART  AND ITS CINEMATIC ADAPTATION

Iryna Malyshivska; Khrystyna Pashchak

Iryna Malyshivska Vasyl Stefanyk National Carpathian University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5544-5889
Khrystyna Pashchak Vasyl Stefanyk National Carpathian University https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6535-9723

Keywords: multimodality, symbolic meaning, violence against women, metaphor, intermediality

Abstract

This article investigates the depiction of domestic violence in Holly Ringland’s The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and its screen adaptation, with a focus on the interplay between literary and cinematic representations. Applying a comparative multimodal approach, the study examines textual strategies in the novel, such as floral symbolism, metaphors, and narrative techniques. It also investigates audiovisual strategies in the series which include cinematography, sound, performance, and pays attention to the intermedial translation of symbolic elements.Flowers emerge as a central motif which shapes narrative meaning and functions as a medium for reflection, resilience, and healing. The research also contextualizes Alice’s experiences using criminological frameworks, including victim typologies and Lenore E. Walker’s cycle of abuse, highlighting the generational impact of domestic violence and the psychological consequences for victims. The study demonstrates that multimodality enhances audience understanding of trauma and recovery, providing a nuanced depiction of gendered violence. The findings underline the importance of symbolic devices across media and suggest directions for future research on cross-media portrayals of abuse and the narrative power of symbolic imagery.

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