Modern Elements in Novel

“Sons and Lovers”

“Sons and Lovers” is both a realist and modernist novel written by

English writer D.H Lawrence in 1913. Novel portrays working class with

an insider’s point of view along with protagonists’ encounter with natural

elements shaping their psychological state of mind making it a realist

novel. The sexual wholesomeness and passion of characters, rebellious

female characters, breakdown of family unit and focus on art makes the

novel modernist. Written in the 20th century the novel retains elements of

19th century realism and explores the modernist form of writing which

was making its way after the First World War.Main elements of modernist

novels are details, transparent language i.e. simple language, omniscient

narrator, truthfulness, focus on class, rising literacy and social critique

(critiquing social and political conditions of society). The novel depicts

life of working class; Mr. Morel’s working class identity can be seen in

textual touches like “he went downstairs in his shirt and then struggled

into pit trousers, which were left on the hearth to warm all night”. The

economic marker of proletariats/working class is that they have to be

conscious of every chilling and they have to take decisions carefully

about money.
Sexuality 

The novel also addresses the issues of passion, sexual desires and sexual

wholesomeness. The 19th century realist novels held back on the notion of

sexuality because it was considered immoral and sexuality was repressed

by religious authorities. Lawrence addresses this issue of sexuality

through his novel. This is also the modernistic element that discussed in

this novel. Paul is not able to have a successful relationship with Miriam

because she is inclined towards religion and considers the sexual act as a

sin. Even when Paul persuades her to engage in the sexual act with him,

she agrees reluctantly. Paul is not able to get sexual gratification from

Miriam, which causes a crisis in their relationship and he is attracted

towards Clara Dawes, a suffragette, feminist women separated from her

husband. They develop a very passionate relationship which is

mostlysexual in nature. There is no love on deeper level between Clara

and Paul. Ultimately Clara leaves Paul and goes back to her husband and

her relationship with Paul comes to an end, leaving Paul devastated.

Thus, Lawrence expresses his view on sexuality by showing that neither

an entirely spiritual nor an entirely sexual relationship between couples

can be successful. 

 Sex is portrayed as something which is serious, normal and is the

central concern of human life. Paul’s relationship with Miriam is

a recognition that without sex, marriage would not be successful. Paul’s

and mystery in sexual passion. Paul’s dissatisfaction with Miriam and

partial satisfaction with Clara tells about the assertion of life of body.

 Lawrence’s openness in discussing sexual relations in “Sons and

Lovers” was a very new and bold move for the time. Many people

labelled it as obscene due its depiction of an overtly sexual attraction

between Paul and his mother, Mrs. Morel. This relation between mother

and son was not depicted in any of the realist novels and is a significant

departure from the realist tradition. 

Oedipus complex

The relationship of mother and son is similar to that described by

Sigmund Freud, a psychologist, in his theory of the Oedipus complex.

But Lawrence had not read Freud’s work while writing Sons and Lovers

and he himself dismissed the idea that his novel was based on

the Oedipus complextheory. However Lawrence dealt with the concept of

the son’s attraction towards his mother and the casting away of father

(Walter Morel), which was labelled as Oedipus complex by

Freud. Freud’s psychoanalysis had a major influence on the modernist

writers. Lawrence’s awareness about the changing times in the modern

world is evident from his implementation of the Oedipus complex theory

in his novel, without being aware of it.

In the novel numerous symbolisms have been used by Lawrence.

Symbols such as light symbolizes rational, daily, routine life and is

most associated with Mrs. Morel. Darkness symbolizes

the phenomenon and mystery of existence as well as the human

subconscious and brute instinct. This quality is demonstrated in Walter

Morel who works in the dark mines. According to Lawrence, light and

dark were essential to one another. Darkness has a special

symbolic effectiveness throughout the novel. It adds tragic poise to

various scenes and symbolizes the darkness of death. When Williams'

body is brought back home, the Morels gravely bring the long, heavy

casket out of the dark night and into the candle lit parlour. At the end of

the novel Paul walks away from the dark, deserted country fields -

towards the bright city lights. This has been interpreted as Paul's walking

away from death, towards life.

Blood is another important symbol having great significance throughout

the novel. The following is one such example:-

"The whole of his blood seemed to burst in to flames and he could

scarcely breathe... his blood was concentrated like a flame in his

chest. There were flashed in his blood". 

side by side. Blood also makes its presence felt when Walter Morel

throws an object with violence at Gertrude Morel and some blood

shedding takes place:

“He (Walter Morel) was turning drearily away, when he saw a

drop of blood fall from the averted wound into the baby’s

fragile, glistening hair. Fascinated he watched the heavy dark

drop hang in the glistening cloud, and pull down the gossamer.

Another drop fell. It would soak through the baby’s scalp. He

watched, fascinated, feeling it soak in; then, finally, his manhood

broke.” 

Nature is also a very prevailing symbol in the novel. Flowers have a role

in revealing the psychological traits of the characters, and even the skies

very symbolically change colours according to the characters' moods. It

turns red when Mrs. Morel is upset and angry and black when there is a

foreshadowing of death and distress. It appears to be a glittering and

shining blue when Paul is outside in the countryside with the women he

loves. Mrs. Morel's experience with the lilies when she puts her head

deep inside the flower and when her face is smeared with
pollen grainsgolden in colour has been described in

very unambiguous and symbolic language.

Through these symbolisms, the novel is focused on the individual’s

consciousness, which was an important aspect of the Modernist writing. 

Strong female characters

 The women in the novel are examples of modernist characters, they

are strong and independent. The most important of them being Clara

Dawes. She is a suffragette andagainst the existing social standards. She

walks with ‘another man’, i.e. Paul who is not her husband and does not

regret it as she is rebelling against social norms. Clara has a dressing

style which expresses her radical ideas and is not in society’s

expectations. She is not an appropriate woman according to society’s

norms. She is actively protesting and is politically active. Clara’s

character is important in Paul Morel’s lifebecause she has a major role

in his sexual growth. .

Miriam does housework and because she has no opportunities she

expresses her frustration to Paul:

‘I want to do something. I want a chance like anybody else. Why

should I, because I ‘am a girl be kept at home and not allowed to

be anything? What chance have I?’

‘Chance of what?’
 ‘Of knowing anything-of learning, of doing anything. It’s not fair,

because I’m a woman’

Here we can see that Miriam is aware of her being oppressed and

discriminated. Clara has a feeling of solidarity and sisterhood for

individual women like Miriam and she defends women when Paul

complains that she asks too much of him demanding a spiritual

communion. Annie (Paul Morel’s sister) is also aware of women’s

position in society asshe becomes a teacher.

 Mrs. Morel is frustrated and rebellious. She is not submissive, has

anger and Mr. Morel is afraid of her in their fights. She does not leave the

house because of her children and her hope is their being successful in

life. She joins the women’s guild where women gather to discuss about

society. She resists violence inflicted on her by Mr. Morel by being

violent herself. When Mariam says she wants to become a man, Mrs.

Morel says to her that females wanting to be a male are not comfortable

with their sexuality and it is unnatural.

 Therefore Lawrence was ahead of his times in portraying women as

being progressive and self-aware.

Breaking up of Conventions 

 In ‘Sons and Lovers’, D. H. Lawrence has challenged the prevailing

conventions in literature as well as society. This is also a modernistic

element. Walter Morel is not the reigning patriarch of the Morel family.
He has been ousted from the family due to his drinking habits and violent

mannerisms. His children dislike him and his wife isnot under his control.

Mrs. Morel is the real person controlling the Morel household. In this

way the Victorian idea of the ideal family is challenged.

 The concept of marriage as understood by the society of the time is

also brought under scrutiny by Lawrence. The marriage of Walter Morel

and Mrs. Morel is not successful, they have no love or liking for each

other. Mrs. Morel remains married only for the sake of her children.

William Morel’ the eldest son of Mrs. Morel, is not ready to get married

with Lily Western but he thinks he has to because of the conventions set

by the society. He is not able to understand what to do and this struggle

ultimately takes his life.  Paul Morel does not marries

Miriam Leivers because she cannot give him sexual satisfaction. The only

marriage that is shown in rather positive light is that of Miriam’s parents.

In this way the concept of marriage is shown to be deteriorating with the

changing time. 

 The characters in the novel challenge the conventions set up for

them by the society. Mrs. Morel is not the typical mother of the average

household. She is very much aware of herself and is able to make

decisions for the whole family. William and Paul Morel challenge the

institution of marriage. Miriam and Clara question the treatment of

women in the society.

‘Sons and Lovers’ in such a way that it does not fits entirely into any one

of the prevailing genres. As is seen before, it is not an entirely realist

novel, neither is it a Künstlerroman (a novel about an artist or writer)

because the artistic side of Paul Morel is not the focus, it is secondary to

his emotional and sexual development. It is also not a Bildungsroman (a

novel about growing up) since Paul Morel is not the only character on

whom the novel pays attention. The novel is a combination of different

genres and in itself is a new, refreshing break from conventions.

Conclusion

 “Sons and Lovers” was written by D.H. Lawrence at a time when the

modernist movement was in its early form and had yet not had a major

impact on the English novel. Even then, Lawrence has tried to introduce

new elements and ideas into ‘Sons and Lovers’ while maintaining some

elements of the 19th century realist tradition. The Modernist elements are

more noticeable in the second part of the novel. Therefore the novel can

be seen as Lawrence’s transition from Realism into Modernism. The

concept of Modernism is more noticeable in Lawrence’s later works.