Darorinag
02-22-2004, 07:42 PM
ok, so I'm reading D.H Lawrence's Sons and Lovers, am actually almost halfway through, and am wondering if anyone else has read it, and what you think about it, etc.
I have a seminar presentation on it for my European and British Novel course on March 1, and what I'm going to be presenting on is - the implications of the novel's title, i.e. Sons and Lovers.
I must say that the title does sound pretty uhhh sick at first, and I think it is a bit sick.. I think, and remember that I haven't read the entire book yet, that there is an incestuous relationship (not necessarily sex..) between Paul and his mother, or so it seems (I'm at a chapter called "Paul Launches Into Life")..
So here are the most relevant quotations that I found:
“They thought awhile. He was sensible all the time of having her opposite him. Suddenly their eyes met, and she smiled to him, a rare, intimate smile, beautiful with brightness and love. Then each looked out of the window.” – p. 117
“The sixteen slow miles of railway journey passed. The mother and son walked down Station Street, feeling the excitement of lovers having an adventure together.” – p. 118
“Paul hated her for not being prouder with this common little man [Mr. Jordan], and he loved her face, clear of the veil.” – p. 120
“She looked at him with her bright blue eyes full of love and joy.” – p. 121
“All the morning long she thought of Paul.” – p. 127
“It was almost as if it were her own life.” – p. 140
“The two shared lives.” – p. 142
“His mother, to whom he became more and more significant, […]” – p. 148
“Suddenly she appeared in the inner doorway, rather shyly.”
“‘Well,’ she asked, quite shy, […]’”
“You are a fine little woman, to go jaunting out with!” – p. 151
“And again his heart hurt with love, seeing her hand, used with work, holding the little bunch of flowers he gave her. She was perfectly happy.” – p. 153
Notice all the cliché phrases that are "reserved" for lovers.
And notice the use of flower imagery, which, I think, is very significant (sexuality?).. I don't know, but I want to argue that there is an incestuous relationship going on, perhaps subconsciously, on a highly metaphorical level.
It almost seems like there is an Oedipal complex thing going on there, especially when she talks about how William (her oldest son) no longer sends her money, etc., because he has a girl now and he spends the money on her.. so maybe it portrays the separation of the son from the mother, and the replacement of that bond with another woman.
And also, Mrs Morel (Paul's mom) doesn't have a good relationship with her husband (he gets drunk all the time, sometimes beats her up, etc.), and maybe she replaces him with Paul later on..
What do you think?
Anyone has read the book? And what do you think about the book overall? I think it's great, so far. :D
I have a seminar presentation on it for my European and British Novel course on March 1, and what I'm going to be presenting on is - the implications of the novel's title, i.e. Sons and Lovers.
I must say that the title does sound pretty uhhh sick at first, and I think it is a bit sick.. I think, and remember that I haven't read the entire book yet, that there is an incestuous relationship (not necessarily sex..) between Paul and his mother, or so it seems (I'm at a chapter called "Paul Launches Into Life")..
So here are the most relevant quotations that I found:
“They thought awhile. He was sensible all the time of having her opposite him. Suddenly their eyes met, and she smiled to him, a rare, intimate smile, beautiful with brightness and love. Then each looked out of the window.” – p. 117
“The sixteen slow miles of railway journey passed. The mother and son walked down Station Street, feeling the excitement of lovers having an adventure together.” – p. 118
“Paul hated her for not being prouder with this common little man [Mr. Jordan], and he loved her face, clear of the veil.” – p. 120
“She looked at him with her bright blue eyes full of love and joy.” – p. 121
“All the morning long she thought of Paul.” – p. 127
“It was almost as if it were her own life.” – p. 140
“The two shared lives.” – p. 142
“His mother, to whom he became more and more significant, […]” – p. 148
“Suddenly she appeared in the inner doorway, rather shyly.”
“‘Well,’ she asked, quite shy, […]’”
“You are a fine little woman, to go jaunting out with!” – p. 151
“And again his heart hurt with love, seeing her hand, used with work, holding the little bunch of flowers he gave her. She was perfectly happy.” – p. 153
Notice all the cliché phrases that are "reserved" for lovers.
And notice the use of flower imagery, which, I think, is very significant (sexuality?).. I don't know, but I want to argue that there is an incestuous relationship going on, perhaps subconsciously, on a highly metaphorical level.
It almost seems like there is an Oedipal complex thing going on there, especially when she talks about how William (her oldest son) no longer sends her money, etc., because he has a girl now and he spends the money on her.. so maybe it portrays the separation of the son from the mother, and the replacement of that bond with another woman.
And also, Mrs Morel (Paul's mom) doesn't have a good relationship with her husband (he gets drunk all the time, sometimes beats her up, etc.), and maybe she replaces him with Paul later on..
What do you think?
Anyone has read the book? And what do you think about the book overall? I think it's great, so far. :D