Summer in February (2014) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Florence attempted suicide with cyanide because she was overwhelmed by humiliation and despair. After her portrait was displayed at the Royal Academy alongside two other women, a gypsy and Dolly, a local model, she felt publicly degraded. When she begged AJ to remove the portrait from the exhibition during their wedding ceremony, he refused obstinately, shattering her spirit and pushing her over the edge.

Foreshadowing: The Royal Academy exhibition earlier planted the seeds of her humiliation, which reached its peak on the wedding day.

• florence carter-wood
• suicide
• cyanide
• royal academy
• humiliation
• wedding

AJ displayed Florence's portrait at the prestigious Royal Academy exhibition as part of his artistic ambitions. He showcased her likeness alongside those of two other women, a gypsy model and Dolly, a local model frequently used by the Lamorna Group. The public exhibition was intended to showcase his artistic skill, but it humiliated Florence, who felt reduced to just another subject among models rather than being treated as his fiancée.

Foreshadowing: AJ's focus on his art over Florence's feelings was evident throughout his mentorship, where he treated her more as a muse than a partner.

• alfred munnings
• portrait
• royal academy
• exhibition
• florence

Florence's baby was fathered by Gilbert Evans, not AJ. After her suicide attempt and subsequent separation from AJ, Florence grew close to Gilbert while living in the cottage he found for her. Their relationship deepened during this time, eventually becoming intimate. When Florence discovered she was pregnant, she confided the father's identity to Laura Knight, revealing that AJ was not the father.

Foreshadowing: Gilbert and Florence's clandestine meetings at the cottage, which began after their argument about his plans to go to Africa, hinted at their growing intimacy.

• florence pregnancy
• gilbert
• baby
• father

Florence chose AJ over Gilbert because he was a renowned painter and the most prominent figure in the Lamorna artistic circle. His mentorship and attention made her feel special, and his proposal came with the promise of a prestigious life within the art world. Gilbert, by contrast, was more reserved and gentle, working behind the scenes documenting the group's activities in his diary. Florence was drawn to AJ's charisma and status, though she later realized her mistake.

Foreshadowing: Gilbert's diary entries throughout the story capture his unspoken love for Florence, while AJ's public attention to her suggested a more exciting future.

• florence
• aj
• gilbert
• love triangle
• engagement

Florence died tragically. After AJ learned about her pregnancy at a party hosted by the Knights, Florence retreated to the cottage in despair. Her emotional state deteriorated further, leading her to succumb to despair in a manner that echoed her earlier suicide attempt. She died in the cottage, and Gilbert later found her grave in Cornwall when he returned two years later.

Foreshadowing: Florence's second suicide attempt was foreshadowed by her continued emotional turmoil after the revelation of her pregnancy and AJ's reaction.

• florence death
• tragic ending
• cottage

Gilbert kept the portrait of Florence riding her horse, a masterpiece painted by AJ, hanging above his fireplace as a tribute to their profound yet tumultuous love. When Gilbert returned to Cornwall two years after Florence's death, he retrieved the portrait and placed it in the cottage, preserving her memory. The painting served as a lasting symbol of Florence's impact on his life and the love they shared.

Foreshadowing: Gilbert's consistent devotion to Florence throughout the film, from documenting their encounters in his diary to caring for her after her suicide attempt, established his deep emotional connection.

• portrait
• morning ride
• gilbert
• florence
• memory

The breakdown of Florence and AJ's marriage stemmed from multiple factors. First, AJ's public humiliation of Florence by displaying her portrait at the Royal Academy alongside other models made her feel degraded. Second, on their wedding day, when Florence begged him to remove the portrait, AJ refused stubbornly. Third, after their separation, AJ made unwanted advances toward Florence when she was trying to rebuild her life. These actions demonstrated AJ's prioritizing his art and pride over Florence's emotional well-being.

Foreshadowing: AJ's treatment of Florence during their engagement, focusing on her as a muse rather than a partner, hinted at his inability to prioritize her feelings.

• aj
• florence
• marriage
• breakdown
• wedding

Florence went to the cottage with Gilbert after her suicide attempt and subsequent breakdown with AJ. Gilbert, showing compassion, found her an abandoned cottage where she could heal and pursue her art away from the painful memories. During this time, their friendship deepened, especially after Gilbert announced his plans to go to Africa, which triggered an argument and led them to flee to the cottage together, where their relationship became intimate.

Foreshadowing: Gilbert's diary entries throughout the story revealed his growing affection for Florence, which culminated in their relationship at the cottage.

• cottage
• gilbert
• florence
• relationship
• refuge

Florence's brother Joey, who was already part of the Lamorna artistic community when Florence arrived, tragically died in World War I. His death occurred before Florence's own tragic fate and added to the film's melancholic tone, marking the war's impact on the characters' lives.

Foreshadowing: Joey's presence in the early community established his connection to the group, making his later death a poignant loss.

• joey
• florence brother
• world war i
• death

Florence left her father's home to escape the restrictions he imposed on her. She came to Lamorna with dual motivations: to improve her painting skills under the tutelage of renowned artists like Alfred Munnings, and to reconnect with her brother Joey, who was already part of the Lamorna Group. Her departure represented a pursuit of artistic freedom and personal liberation from paternal control.

Foreshadowing: Florence's arrival in Lamorna with aspirations of independence set the stage for her journey toward self-discovery and the tumultuous relationships that followed.

• florence
• father
• lamorna
• escape
• freedom