After reading DH Lawrence's story "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" in English class, you said you were quite shocked when Mabel he attempted suicide. Reading the story for the first time it may not be entirely clear that Mabel feels there is nothing to do with her life other than dying. However, re-reading the story, I think there is a lot of evidence to support this idea. By analyzing the dark descriptions of the settings and Mabel's lack of any relationship with her family, ample evidence and clues are provided that point towards Mabel's suicidal path. First, look at the description of the dark setting and the atmosphere that gives off the feeling of death. and depression. At the beginning of the story we find Mabel and her three brothers sitting at the dining room table "with its heavy mahogany furniture, [which] seemed to be waiting to be disposed of" (Lawrence 1). The heavy furniture represents Mabel and as she is immersed in the pond water, she is releasing herself. As we follow Mabel walking out of time, the weather is described as “a gray, wintry day, with sadly dark green fields and an atmosphere blackened by the smoke of the foundries not far away” (Lawrence 5). The constant reference to dark, grey, sad weather and scenery again emphasizes the darkness and depression occurring within Mabel. When Fergusson, the doctor, comes out he thinks: “The afternoon was falling. It was grey, muffled and wintry, with a slow, damp, heavy cold that penetrated and deadened all faculties” (Lawrence 6). This is a great description of how he feels when he tries to save Mabel from the pond. Furthermore, as Fergusson watches Mabel walk towards the pond, he describes her as a “figure in black” (The... in the center of the card... of peace from the things that are dead is a great indicator that Mabel will do anything, will try suicide, to have peace and happiness in the world of his mother and the dead After analyzing the story, a clear path can be followed that warns and prepares for Mabel's attempted suicide. Lawrence skillfully uses the setting to help the reader enter the dark, gray and sad world in which Mabel sees herself. Not only does the setting indicate Mabel's suicidal path, but her lack of relationships with her family shows that she is not attached to the things of this living world but longs for it. for the dead world of her mothers. Bel attempted suicide because she saw it as the only way out of the state of depression she had fallen into. Works Cited Lawrence, DH “The Horse Dealer's Daughter Matters Ltd., nd Web, 22. August. 2012.