Seminar paper

On

Manipulation of women in D. H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers

In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of Degree of

B.A. (H) English

Submitted By: Supervised By:

Namita Swaroop Dr Shuchi Agrawal

A0706120039 Professor

Amity Institute of English Studies and Research

AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTAR PRADESH

India
Introduction
Sons and Lovers is a novel written by D.H. Lawrence and published in 1913. It tells the story
of Paul Morel, a young man growing up in a working-class family in the mining town of
Bestwood. The novel explores Paul's relationships with the three major women in his life: his
mother, Gertrude Morel, and his two romantic interests, Miriam and Clara. The novel is set in
the early 20th century, a time of great social and cultural change, especially in terms of gender
roles and relationships. Lawrence was known for his exploration of these themes in his writing,
and Sons and Lovers is no exception. Through the portrayal of Paul's relationships with the
women in his life, Lawrence offers a complex and nuanced look at the dynamics of love,
intimacy, and power. In this paper, I will examine how Paul manipulates these three women
and how this manipulation impacts his psyche and their relationships. Specifically, I will
analyse Paul's relationship with his mother, Miriam, and Clara, and explore how he uses
emotional manipulation to control and avoid emotional vulnerability. Through this analysis, I
aim to shed light on the theme of manipulation in the novel and its broader implications.
Review of Literature
D.H. Lawrence's novel explores the complex relationships between men and women in a
patriarchal society. One of the central themes of the novel is the manipulation of women by
men, particularly through the character of Paul and his relationships with Gertrude, Miriam,
and Clara. Scholars have analyzed how Lawrence depicts the manipulation of women in the
novel. For example, in her article ‘Women and the Demonic in Sons and Lovers,’ Sherry Lutz
Zivley argues that Lawrence portrays women as both victims and oppressors. She suggests that
the female characters in the novel represent the "demonic" aspects of femininity and that Paul's
relationships with these women are marked by a struggle for power and control.
Similarly, in his article "Lawrence's Sons and Lovers: The Oedipal Relationships and the
Women Who Define Them," David S. Miall explores how Lawrence uses the relationships
between Paul and the three major women to highlight the different ways in which men and
women understand love and desire. Miall argues that Lawrence's portrayal of these
relationships is complex and that they reflect a tension between emotional and sexual desires.
Other scholars have focused specifically on the character of Paul and his manipulation of the
women in the novel. For example, in her article ‘The Problem with Paul: Sons and Lovers and
the Limits of Empathy,’ Sarah H. Creel argues that Paul's manipulation of Gertrude, Miriam,
and Clara reflects his emotional limitations and insecurity. Creel suggests that Paul's inability
to fully empathize with the women in his life leads him to manipulate and control them.
II. Paul's Relationship with His Mother
Paul's relationship with his mother, Gertrude Morel, is a central focus of the novel. From an
early age, Paul is emotionally dependent on his mother, who has a strained relationship with
her husband and seeks emotional fulfilment from her son. Paul's closeness to his mother
becomes increasingly problematic as he grows older and begins to form romantic relationships.
Throughout the novel, Paul manipulates his mother emotionally to fulfil his own needs, often
at the expense of her happiness. For example, when Gertrude begins to show interest in another
man, Walter Morel, Paul becomes jealous and resentful. He convinces her that Walter is not
good enough for her and that she should stay with him instead. Similarly, when Gertrude
becomes ill, Paul is unable to cope with the idea of losing her and becomes increasingly
possessive, refusing to let her receive care from anyone else.
Despite the intensity of their relationship, Gertrude eventually comes to realize that her
emotional dependence on Paul is unhealthy and begins to distance herself from him. This
causes Paul to become increasingly resentful and angry, leading to a tragic climax that sets the
tone for the rest of the novel. Through Paul's relationship with his mother, Lawrence offers a
complex exploration of the mother-son dynamic and its impact on romantic relationships.
Paul's manipulation of his mother is a reflection of his fear of emotional vulnerability, which
he carries with him into his other relationships. The novel suggests that the intensity of a
mother-son relationship can have profound and lasting effects on a person's ability to form
healthy romantic relationships.
III. Paul's Relationship with Miriam
Miriam is introduced early in the novel as a shy and introverted girl from a strict religious
background. Paul meets her at his church and is immediately drawn to her. As their relationship
develops, it becomes clear that Paul has a significant amount of control over Miriam. He often
belittles and criticizes her interests and beliefs, asserting his own opinions as superior. Paul is
also possessive of Miriam and becomes jealous when she shows attention to other men. Despite
this, Paul maintains a close relationship with Miriam and relies on her emotional support.
Miriam is deeply in love with Paul and is willing to submit to his every demand. Paul takes
advantage of her love for him, using it to manipulate her into doing things for him and giving
him emotional support. However, Paul often withdraws emotionally from Miriam, leaving her
feeling confused and insecure. He encourages her to express her feelings and desires, but then
dismisses them or rejects her advances. Paul uses Miriam's emotional vulnerability to control
and manipulates her.
The breakdown of Paul and Miriam's relationship is inevitable due to his inability to fully
commit to her. Paul becomes increasingly frustrated with Miriam's clinginess and emotional
intensity and begins to distance himself from her. Miriam becomes increasingly desperate for
Paul's love and attention but ultimately realizes that he will never be able to give her what she
needs. This relationship serves as a commentary on the limitations of love and the dangers of
becoming too emotionally dependent on another person. It also highlights Paul's inability to
form healthy romantic relationships and his desire for control and dominance.
IV. The Manipulation of Clara
Clara is introduced as a modern and independent woman who represents a departure from the
traditional roles of women in the novel. She is married but is also having an affair with Paul.
Paul's control over Clara is different from his control over the other women in the novel. Rather
than trying to dominate and manipulate her emotionally, Paul tries to exert his control over
Clara through physical means. Paul is fascinated by Clara's sensuality and desires her sexually,
but he also fears her independence and her power over him. He tries to dominate her sexually
and uses sex as a means of control. However, Clara resists his attempts to control her and
challenges his dominance. She is assertive and confident and refuses to be reduced to a mere
object of desire.
Despite her independence, Clara is still subject to Paul's manipulation. He uses her desire for
him to manipulate her into doing things for him and keeping their affair a secret. He also tries
to use her as a means of escaping his emotional insecurities but ultimately realizes that he
cannot control her the way he wants to. Clara represents a challenge to Paul's understanding of
masculinity and his desire for control and ultimately serves as a reminder that women cannot
be reduced to objects of desire or controlled through physical means.
V. Conclusion
In Sons and Lovers, D.H. Lawrence portrays a world where women are subject to the whims
and desires of men. The three major female characters in the novel - Gertrude, Miriam, and
Clara - are all subject to manipulation and control by the male protagonist, Paul. Through their
relationships with Paul, Lawrence highlights how women were often limited in their choices
and their ability to control their own lives. Paul's manipulation of these women is not simply a
matter of personal weakness or character flaws. Rather, it reflects the patriarchal society in
which the novel is set. Women are expected to be submissive and obedient, and men are
expected to dominate and control them. Paul's behaviour towards the women in the novel is a
reflection of these larger societal expectations and norms.
However, Lawrence does not simply accept these societal norms without critique. Through the
characters of Gertrude, Miriam, and Clara, he challenges traditional gender roles and
expectations. Gertrude's transformation from a submissive wife to a sexually empowered
woman shows the potential for women to break free from traditional roles and expectations.
Miriam's emotional vulnerability and dependence on Paul serve as a warning against becoming
too emotionally dependent on another person. Clara's independence and assertiveness
challenge traditional ideas of femininity and the male desire for control.
In conclusion, Lawrence's portrayal of Paul's manipulation of the three major women in Sons
and Lovers highlights the limitations placed on women in a patriarchal society. At the same
time, it also serves as a critique of those limitations and a call for greater gender equality.
Work Cited
Lawrence, D. H. (1977). Sons and Lovers. 7th. Edition. Harmondsworth: Penguin
Zivley, Sherry Lutz. "Women and the Demonic in Sons and Lovers." Twentieth Century
Literature, vol. 38, no. 2, 1992, pp. 157-170.
Miall, David S. "Lawrence's Sons and Lovers: The Oedipal Relationships and the Women Who
Define Them." Twentieth Century Literature, vol. 36, no. 1, 1990, pp. 42-55.
Creel, Sarah H. "The Problem with Paul: Sons and Lovers and the Limits of Empathy." D.H.
Lawrence Review, vol. 44, no. 2, 2019, pp. 56-72.