# James Houghton — The Lost Girl character guide

> James Houghton in The Lost Girl by D. H. Lawrence.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Houghton, Poor James

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-decline-of-manchester-house

## Who they are

Alvina's father, a struggling businessman who owns Manchester House.

## Relationships

### [Alvina Houghton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/alvina_houghton)

_family_

Alvina is the devoted but conflicted daughter of James Houghton, whose death frees her from his controlling influence.

### [Mr. May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/mr_may)

_professional_

James Houghton and Mr. May are business partners and colleagues, working together on financial matters.

### [Alvina Houghton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/alvina_houghton)

_family_

Alvina is the devoted but conflicted daughter of James Houghton, whose death frees her from his controlling influence.

### [Alvina Houghton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/alvina_houghton)

_family_

Alvina is the devoted but conflicted daughter of James Houghton, whose death frees her from his controlling influence.

### [Mr. May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/mr_may)

_professional_

James Houghton and Mr. May are business partners and colleagues, working together on financial matters.

### [Mr. May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/mr_may)

_professional_

James Houghton and Mr. May are business partners and colleagues, working together on financial matters.

## In the story

### [The Decline of Manchester House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/i-the-decline-of-manchester-house)

A romantic and impractical tradesman who built Manchester House and dreams of commercial glory, but neglects his family.

### [II: The Rise of Alvina Houghton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/ii-the-rise-of-alvina-houghton)

Alvina's father, whose fortunes overshadow the family; he treats Graham with suave attention and jealousy.

### [III: The Maternity Nurse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/iii-the-maternity-nurse)

Shocked and disapproving of Alvina's choice of occupation, but unable to stop her.

### [Two Women Die](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/iv-two-women-die)

Weeps self-conscious tears at his wife's death, begrudges household expenses.

### [The Beau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/v-the-beau)

James has become pathologically stingy after the collapse of Throttle-Ha'penny, begrudging even household necessities and making Alvina an allowance of two shillings a week.

### [Houghton's Last Endeavour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/vi-houghton-s-last-endeavour)

Elderly and frail but still lively, he builds the Endeavour theatre and hires the Natcha-Kee-Tawara troupe, insisting Alvina play piano to save wages.

### [VII: Natcha-Kee-Tawara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/vii-natcha-kee-tawara)

James is absorbed in the Endeavour Theatre's finances, hoping for success but facing limitations.

### [VIII: Ciccio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/viii-ciccio)

Present backstage after the performance, talking to Madame.

### [Alvina Becomes Allaye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/chapters/ix-alvina-becomes-allaye)

Nervous and irritable after the previous week; decides to convert the Endeavour into a picture show, causing conflict with Mr. May.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters/james_houghton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_girl_se/characters