D H Lawrence

Sons and Lovers D H Lawrence

Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence

Sons and Lovers is a novel by D. H. Lawrence set in late 19th century England and tells the story of a man so emotionally connected and influenced by his mother that he is unable to form lasting relationships when he meets other women.

In the first part of the story, the well-bred Gertrude Coppard falls in love with Walter Morel, a poor coal miner. The couple marries, and Gertrude struggles to adjust to reduced circumstances on a meager salary in a rented house. The couple drift apart and she gradually transfers her affection to her boys, starting with William, her eldest. Walter Morel begins retreating to the pub after working with the other miners.

William goes out into the world and begins to rise to the middle class. When he dies, Gertrude shifts her affection to her second son, Paul, rediscovering her deep love for the boy after surviving a severe bout of pneumonia.

In the second part of the novel, Paul struggles between the comfort and stability provided by his mother and her need to venture out and experience her own romantic love. He begins a romance with Miriam, a girl from his church. They appear to be well matched, but Paul's mother looks down on Miriam, which complicates the relationship. She is far below her social standing and she comes from an even poorer family.

Paul then meets Clara Dawes, a more sophisticated young woman who has separated from her husband. Paul leaves Miriam behind as he spends more and more time with Clara. But in the end, not even Clara can compete with Gertrude's affections, and Paul leaves Clara and returns to her mother. When she dies, he is left alone.