Flush: A Biography

Flush: A Biography (1933) by Virginia Woolf is a biographical novel that explores the life of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cocker spaniel, Flush. Through Flush’s eyes, Woolf delves into the relationships and social structures that shaped the poet’s life and work. Though Flush is one of Woolf’s lesser-known works, its blend of biography, fiction, and social commentary reveals her capacity for experimentation and creativity.

This guide refers to the 2009 Oxford World Classics edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss poverty and briefly mention animal abuse. This guide also quotes an offensive term for sex workers.

Plot Summary

Flush, a young spaniel, is born and raised on a small country property in Reading, England. He enjoys chasing through the countryside and spends his days at the side of his owner, Mrs. Mitford, who is a writer. When she and her husband fall on hard times, she decides to gift the young dog to her friend, the poet Elizabeth Barrett, who lives in London. Flush is initially overwhelmed by the noise and smells of the city, but he forms a close bond with Elizabeth, who is confined to her dark room due to her poor health.

In the summer, Elizabeth takes Flush to Regent’s Park, where all dogs must be kept on a leash. Flush feels the chain around his neck for the first time and struggles with the restrictions on his freedom. He learns about the hierarchy that exists among dogs and discovers that he is something of an aristocrat compared to many other dogs. At the end of the summer, the trips outside become less frequent. Elizabeth secludes herself in her room to protect her health.

During this time, Flush puts aside his desire to run outside as he becomes used to the quieter, warmer life at Elizabeth’s side. His close bond with Elizabeth grows, and soon, he will not leave her side. However, though they are close, there continues to be a gulf in understanding between them. She does not comprehend the world through smells and sounds like he does, while he cannot understand what she does when she is reading or writing. Many people come to visit Elizabeth, including friends and family, though these visits often tire her out. Flush lays beside Elizabeth and comforts her when the visitors are gone.

One evening, Flush notices a change in Elizabeth as she reads a letter. These letters that cause an emotional reaction in Elizabeth begin to arrive more regularly. In spring, Robert Browning, a poet and the letter writer, begins to visit Elizabeth often. Flush feels jealous of Robert and Elizabeth’s romantic connection, and this leads him to attack Robert. However, in time, Flush makes peace with the relationship and gains the couple’s affection.

Flush’s life takes a dark turn when he is kidnapped for ransom. Elizabeth’s affluent neighborhood is close to many poorer areas, where the people are desperate and take to kidnapping beloved pets as a way to make money. Flush is thrown into a dark room and is terrified. Meanwhile, Elizabeth’s father does not want to pay the ransom since he does not want to encourage crime. However, Elizabeth defies her family and negotiates Flush’s release, strengthening their bond. Soon after, she secretly marries Robert, and they escape to Italy, taking Flush with them.

In Italy, Flush finds happiness within the egalitarian dog community. The hot streets are filled with interesting smells, and he explores freely, without a leash. He has many romantic adventures with female dogs, and Elizabeth mockingly scolds him. Elizabeth’s health begins to improve, too. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son. At first, Flush is confused by the new arrival, but he slowly develops great affection for the baby. Robert and Elizabeth both write prodigiously, happy in the family that they have made.

Flush is now an old dog, but he finds great happiness in Italy, despite the challenges of old age and the occasional flea infestation. When Elizabeth’s father dies, the family travels back to England. Flush recalls his youth in the countryside, and he explores the quiet rooms of the old Barrett family home with Elizabeth. The family then returns to Italy, and Flush is happy to be back.

Flush grows content in his final years, and he reminisces about his life to his fellow dogs. One day, when he is dozing in the market, he leaps up suddenly and rushes home. He finds Elizabeth, who is reading a book on her sofa. The sight of Flush amuses her, and she recalls an old poem that she wrote about him years ago, when she was very unhappy. She reflects on how much her life has changed and that Flush has been with her through it all. Then, she realizes that Flush has died.