D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers: Summary & Analysis
There can be no argument that D. H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers is a study of
human relationships. Gertrude Morel, because of her turbulent and odd relationship
with her husband, ends up developing deep emotional relations with her two eldest
sons’. The second eldest in particular, Paul, is the receiver of most of this deep
emotion. Because of these feelings and the deeper-than-usual emotional bond
between the two, Paul has difficulty being comfortable in his own relationships.
Paul’s relationship with Miriam is plagued by his mother’s disapproval, jealousy,
and Miriam’s own spirituality.
Paul’s relationship with Miriam is one where the love is not allowed to flourish.
Although there is no doubt that there is love between the two, the forces around
them create tension that suppresses it. Miriam believes herself not nearly as
beautiful as she really is. Because of this she is always looking for things to love
her. In the case of Paul she believes that if Paul was to need her, if she could take
care of him, “if he could depend on her, if she could, as it were, have him in her
arms, how she would love him.”(137) However, this is never allowed to happen.
Paul’s mother Gertrude already occupies this space in his life. Thus the
relationship between the two is a struggle for an identity. The relationship is a
struggle between Paul and his mother and Paul and Miriam.
The main conflicts between Paul and Miriam are between physical-spiritual
differences and his mother. Miriam holds spirituality very close to her. Thing with
Miriam are always on a very spiritual level. Lawrence showed this sometimes with
depiction of flowers. Paul has other needs that Miriam herself feels that she could
1
never fulfill. “You make me feel spiritual and I don’t want to be spiritual.” (190)
Eventually, Miriam introduces Paul to Clara to hopefully fulfill these needs. Paul’s
mother is also a major conflict. Paul’s relationship with his mother was very
dominating. When Paul compared his two loves, it caused great tension between
the two, he would begin to hate Miriam. This tension is similar to the tension that
caused William to die. Whenever William brought his lover, Lilly, around his
mother, it pained him. He felt the need to belittle her constantly in comparison to
his mother. He knew she did not completely approve of her. After William’s death
Paul became his mother's chief emotional outlet, thus Miriam becomes subject to
similar trials as Lilly. Because of these conflicts Paul made Miriam suffer. Because
he made her suffer he despised her.
The main problems that Gertrude has with Miriam is her worth and her family
status. When the eldest son William went out with Lilly Gertrude was not horribly
adamant against her. Then, why should she be against Miriam? Lilly was not as
intelligent as Gertrude, Lilly had no chance of breaking, or coming anywhere close
to breaking that bond. Also, William was already out in the business world.
Gertrude wanted her son’s to be more successful than her and William was well on
his way. Although I’m sure Gertrude rather preferred William not married, she
wasn’t totally anti it. After William died, Paul was all she had left, Arthur being
more like his father. Miriam is on the other hand, intelligent, spiritual, and willing
to learn. Gertrude’s worry and disapproval caused Paul to be unhappy. Also,
Gertrude’s goal of having her son’s do better than her financially and marry into a
respectable families didn’t match up to Miriam’s farm life. The relationship and
Miriam’s love grew. There did seem to be a moment when Paul realized there were
two female forces in life. The one of warmth and the one of inspiration. His mother
of course being the one of inspiration. Paul’s mother continued to vent her dislike
2
for Miriam. Dealing with that warmth, some of what Gertrude could not give him,
Paul’s physical needs became apparent. Miriam, being as religious as she is,
shudders at the thought of consummating the relationship. This is where Miriam’s
endless love shows through. Miriam introduces Paul to Clara. Miriam loves Paul
so much she sacrifices herself to him. Even though Paul loves Miriam, upon
comparing her with his mother, he hates her. Finally, giving in to his mother, he
breaks it off with Miriam. We get the impression that Miriam waits for Paul
forever. It concretely ends when his mother dies and he leaves to find himself.
Son’s and Lover’s is a study of human relationships. Paul is the receiver of most of
his mother’s deep emotional feelings and has with her a bond tighter than normal.
Because of this Paul has trouble handling and being comfortable with his own
relationships. Paul’s relationship with Miriam was plagued by his mother’s
disapproval. If it wasn’t for the selfishness of his mother Paul would have most
likely been happy with Miriam.
There can be no argument that D.H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” is a study of
human relationships. Gertrude Morel, because of her turbulent and odd relationship
with her husband, ends up developing deep emotional relations with her two eldest
sons’. The second eldest in particular, Paul, is the receiver of most of this deep
emotion. Because of these feelings and the deeper-than-usual emotional bond
between the two, Paul has difficulty being comfortable in his own relationships.
Paul’s relationship with Miriam is plagued by his mother’s disapproval, jealousy,
and Miriam’s own spirituality.
Paul’s relationship with Miriam is one where the love is not allowed to flourish.
Although there is no doubt that there is love between the two, the forces around
them create tension that suppresses it. Miriam believes herself not nearly as
3
beautiful as she really is. Because of this she is always looking for things to love
her. In the case of Paul she believes that if Paul was to need her, if she could take
care of him, “if he could depend on her, if she could, as it were, have him in her
arms, how she would love him.”(137) However, this is never allowed to happen.
Paul’s mother Gertrude already occupies this space in his life. Thus the
relationship between the two is a struggle for an identity. The relationship is a
struggle between Paul and his mother and Paul and Miriam.
The main conflicts between Paul and Miriam are between physical-spiritual
differences and his mother. Miriam holds spirituality very close to her. Thing with
Miriam are always on a very spiritual level. Lawrence showed this sometimes with
depictions of flowers. Paul has other needs that Miriam herself feels that she could
never fulfill. “You make me feel spiritual and I don’t want to be spiritual.” (190)
Eventually, Miriam introduces Paul to Clara to hopefully fulfill these needs. Paul’s
mother is also a major conflict. Paul’s relationship with his mother was very
dominating. When Paul compared his two loves, it caused great tension between
the two, he would begin to hate Miriam. This tension is similar to the tension that
caused William to die. Whenever William brought his lover, Lilly, around his
mother, it pained him. He felt the need to belittle her constantly in comparison to
his mother. He knew she did not completely approve of her. After William’s death
Paul became his mother's chief emotional outlet, thus Miriam becomes subject to
similar trials as Lilly. Because of these conflicts Paul made Miriam suffer. Because
he made her suffer he despised her.
The main problems that Gertrude has with Miriam is her worth and her family
status. When the eldest son William went out with Lilly Gertrude was not horribly
adamant against her. Then, why should she be against Miriam? Lilly was not as
4
intelligent as Gertrude, Lilly had no chance of breaking, or coming anywhere close
to breaking that bond. Also, William was already out in the business world.
Gertrude wanted her son’s to be more successful than her and William was well on
his way. Although I’m sure Gertrude rather preferred William not married, she
wasn’t totally anti it. After William died, Paul was all she had left, Arthur being
more like his father. Miriam is on the other hand, intelligent, spiritual, and willing
to learn. Gertrude’s worry and disapproval caused Paul to be unhappy. Also,
Gertrude’s goal of having her son’s do better than her financially and marry into a
respectable families didn’t match up to Miriam’s farm life.
The relationship and Miriam’s love grew. There did seem to be a moment when
Paul realized there were two female forces in life. The one of warmth and the one
of inspiration. His mother of course being the one of inspiration. Paul’s mother
continued to vent her dislike for Miriam. Dealing with that warmth, some of what
Gertrude could not give him, Paul’s physical needs became apparent. Miriam,
being as religious as she is, shudders at the thought of consummating the
relationship. This is where Miriam’s endless love shows through. Miriam
introduces Paul to Clara. Miriam loves Paul so much she sacrifices herself to him.
Even though Paul loves Miriam, upon comparing her with his mother, he hates her.
Finally, giving in to his mother, he breaks it off with Miriam. We get the
impression that Miriam waits for Paul forever. It concretely ends when his mother
dies and he leaves to find himself.
Son’s and Lover’s is a study of human relationships. Paul is the receiver of most of
his mother’s deep emotional feelings and has with her a bond tighter than normal.
Because of this Paul has trouble handling and being comfortable with his own
relationships. Paul’s relationship with Miriam was plagued by his mother’s
5
disapproval. If it wasn’t for the selfishness of his mother Paul would have most
likely been happy with Miriam.
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