Short Paper: Sons and Lovers Literary Analysis
D.H. Lawrence’s experimentation with narrative form through the presentation of
episodes and through jumps of time has a significant impact overall on readers’ perception of
events and characters in Sons and Lovers. As a result of the experimentation, the narration,
setting, subject matter, and character development effectively conveyed elements and
characteristics of British Modernism at the turn of the century.
The narrative form of episodes and jumps in time is an organized approach that allows
readers an insight into significant events throughout the novel such as early family and married
life, childhood, adolescence, death, and adulthood. The split of the novel into two parts is critical
and provides readers with a timeframe of early life to adulthood of Paul, William, Arthur, and
Annie. It is also an effective approach for presenting conflict such as William’s death, Paul and
Miriam’s relationship, and Mrs. Morel’s death. For example, William’s death served as a
precursor to Paul’s close relationship with his mother; “That brought him to. He realised her. His
whole will rose up and arrested him. He put his head on her breast, and took ease of her for
love… The two knitted together in perfect intimacy. Mrs. Morel’s life now rooted itself in Paul.
William had been a prophet” (Lawrence). The narrative form also greatly impacts the setting by
depicting changes of location, from The Bottoms in Bestwood, the house with the ash-tree,
London, Nottingham, the Isle of Wight, and Sheffield. This effective transition of scenes results
in a more cohesive and organized story that allows readers to follow along clearly.
Subject matter is also effectively organized and greatly impacts readers’ perceptions of
events and characters. Many topics including relationships and class struggles are given
increased focus throughout the episodes. The titles of the chapters provide an insight into the
subject matter without revealing more information than necessary. The episodic style of narrative
is highly beneficial overall because it can allow for slower character development, short and long
plots, recurring characters, and reader friendliness (Morin). The slower character development
was essential for conveying the coming of age of Paul and his relationship with his mother.
These factors effectively conveyed various elements of British Modernism. British
Modernism “was an avant-garde movement in literature and art that sought to break away from
ordinary social values, commercialism, and the “genteel” literary tradition that preceded
it” (Eastern CT). The characteristics of individualism, experimentation, and symbolism are
present within Sons and Lovers. Individualism is expressed through the focus on Paul’s life,
introspectiveness, interest in the arts, depression, as well as his relationships with his siblings,
parents, Miriam, and Clara. Experimentation is present through D.H. Lawrence’s unconventional
use of episodic narrative, which is a significant break from traditional forms. Nonlinear,
fragmented, episodic plots were prevalent throughout the British Modernist movement. Lastly,
symbolism was also present, as seen when the ash-tree is described “And then the whole was
drowned in a piercing medley of shrieks and cries from the great, wind-swept ash-
tree” (Lawrence). The ash tree served as a symbol of the conflict and fear that the Morel children
would feel as a result of their abusive father coming home in a drunken rage.
Works Cited
Eastern CT. “British Modernism - Eastern.” Eastern Connecticut State University,
www.easternct.edu/speichera/understanding-literary-history-all/british-
modernism.html. Accessed 18 July 2021.
Lawrence, D. H. Sons and Lovers. Project Gutenberg, 2006, www.gutenberg.org/files/217/217-h/
217-h.htm.
Morin, J. “Writing an Episodic Series -.” JS Morin, 18 Jan. 2019, www.jsmorin.com/2015/08/
episodic-series.
