Sons and Lovers

[cacian]

Has anybody picked up on the fact that Mrs Morel's first name is Gertrude- also the name of Hamlet's mother? Is Lawrence drawing the Oedipal parallel there?

I think so. I am wondering why so much of it in literature? It is one think to think and another to write about it. Insisting on both is rather over the top.
The book we had to study but it was not my cup of tea. We were studying Englidh literature and I felt it did not reflect anything about England. Infact this book reminds me of Wives and Daughters By Elizabeth Gaskell.

[kelby_lake]

I think so. I am wondering why so much of it in literature? It is one think to think and another to write about it. Insisting on both is rather over the top.
The book we had to study but it was not my cup of tea. We were studying Englidh literature and I felt it did not reflect anything about England. Infact this book reminds me of Wives and Daughters By Elizabeth Gaskell.

I think that Lady Chatterley's Lover says more about England but I prefer Sons and Lovers. The main highlight of Women in Love is the wrestling scene, which Lawrence was clearly having a blast writing.

[kelby_lake]

Here is the scene from Women in Love. Beats anything in Lady Chatterley's Lover:
http://www.online-literature.com/dh_...en_in_love/20/

[Amona555]

Hello I'm new here and i've been having some trouble with Sons and Lovers. Although i like the book, i was asked a question by one of my professors, that is to interpret what a passage means, or what is the symbolism in the passage... I have been reading a lot, trying to find out what it is but so far i haven't had much luck, so I was wondering if maybe one of you could help me.


"Stop a minute," he said, and, digging his heels sideways into the steep bank of red clay, he began nimbly to mount. He looked across at every tree-foot. At last he found what he wanted. Two beech-trees side by side on the hill held a little level on the upper face between their roots. It was littered with damp leaves, but it would do. The fishermen were perhaps sufficiently out of sight. He threw down his rainproof and waved to her to come.
She toiled to his side. Arriving there, she looked at him heavily, dumbly, and laid her head on his shoulder. He held her fast as he looked round. They were safe enough from all but the small, lonely cows over the river. He sunk his mouth on her throat, where he felt her heavy pulse beat under his lips. Everything was perfectly still. There was nothing in the afternoon but themselves.
When she arose, he, looking on the ground all the time, saw suddenly sprinkled on the black wet beech-roots many scarlet carnation petals, like splashed drops of blood; and red, small splashes fell from her bosom, streaming down her dress to her feet.
"Your flowers are smashed," he said.
She looked at him heavily as she put back her hair. Suddenly he put his finger-tips on her cheek.
"Why dost look so heavy?" he reproached her.
She smiled sadly, as if she felt alone in herself. He caressed her cheek with his fingers, and kissed her.
"Nay!" he said. "Never thee bother!"
She gripped his fingers tight, and laughed shakily. Then she dropped her hand. He put the hair back from her brows, stroking her temples, kissing them lightly.
"But tha shouldna worrit!" he said softly, pleading.
"No, I don't worry!" she laughed tenderly and resigned.
"Yea, tha does! Dunna thee worrit," he implored, caressing.
"No!" she consoled him, kissing him.
They had a stiff climb to get to the top again. It took them a quarter of an hour. When he got on to the level grass, he threw off his cap, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and sighed.
"Now we're back at the ordinary level," he said.
She sat down, panting, on the tussocky grass. Her cheeks were flushed pink. He kissed her, and she gave way to joy.
"And now I'll clean thy boots and make thee fit for respectable folk," he said.
He kneeled at her feet, worked away with a stick and tufts of grass. She put her fingers in his hair, drew his head to her, and kissed it.
"What am I supposed to be doing," he said, looking at her laughing; "cleaning shoes or dibbling with love? Answer me that!"
"Just whichever I please," she replied.
"I'm your boot-boy for the time being, and nothing else!" But they remained looking into each other's eyes and laughing. Then they kissed with little nibbling kisses.


So although i understand that the flowers indicate passion, lust, and in a way that it indicates his physical relationship with her, but what is the symbolism when he smashes the flowers, and if there is something else which can be regarded as symbolic???
I would be very grateful if anyone of you could answer me
PS: I almost forgot this is a passage from Chapter 12 Passion, when he is walking with Clara.

[kelby_lake]

I think the flowers are to do with effeminacy and the female control. Also doesn't he do something with Miriam that involves flowers?