Backwater

Backwater, published in 1916, is the second volume of Dorothy Richardson’s groundbreaking Pilgrimage series. Through the interior monologue of Miriam Henderson, Richardson pioneers the stream-of-consciousness technique, capturing the subtleties of everyday experience and emotional life. The novel follows Miriam’s time working as a teacher at a girls’ school, reflecting on personal growth, independence, and societal constraints. Backwater exemplifies Richardson’s contribution to modernist literature, offering an intimate, nuanced portrayal of a young woman’s evolving consciousness.