Analyse theme of Oedipus Complex in SONS AND LOVERS

Critical analysis           Use of Symbols
Autobiographical elements

Character Sketch of Isabel Archer

D.H.Lawrence is one of the great writers who may be described as ‘life-changers’ and like all life-changers he is highly controversial. Diana Neil gives a better estimate of him when she writes,

But when all is said, there is greatness in him. He is something of an authentic visionary and the future may be in a better position to interpret his dreams.

Sons and Lovers have layers of meaning and hence, various angles of perception are needed to grasp them. The novel cries out for psychoanalytic interpretation i.e. it needs to be treated predominantly of what Freud termed ‘Oedipus Complex’. This points to sexual desire of son for mother and conflict with father. Lawrence by introducing Oedipus complex into English Literature not only enlarged its horizon but also opened up new vista in the field of fiction. He gave a new psychological depth to the manipulation of such complicated theme. Though Lawrence did not read Freud while writing Sons and Lovers, the novel is a beautiful illustration of Freud’s theory of Oedipus Complex.

In the present novel, we find Mrs. Morel as the intellectually superior but physically sole-less female whose sexual responses become increasingly more frigid. Opposite her is the sensuous miner Morel close to the earth in occupation and spirit, open in his responses to life, fond of singing, dancing and drinking, non-intellectual and kind man who was slowly crushed to non-entity by his wife’s ideals; thus, becomes an outsider in his own house. Mrs. Morel turns to her sons for love and gains husband substitutes. As such, here one part of Oedipus situation is fulfilled.

Mrs. Morel first grasps William, the elder one. Though he loved Lily but was unable to give himself to her as he was tied to his mother. As a result of this split he finally died. Next she turns to the younger one. The relationship between Paul and his mother runs through the whole novel. It has various stages and various degrees of both intensity and stress. Paul suffers from pneumonia and when he recovers the mother captures his spirit. There is a striking emotional correspondence between them.

His heart contracted with pain of love for her.

Mr. Morel tries to interrupt but Mrs. Morel gets angry. Paul too hates his father and prays of his death. H.M.Daleski writes that the clash between Paul and Mr. Morel is of course a striking example of Oedipus complex.

Paul’s love relation with his mother takes a new turn with the coming of Miriam, a young girl in his life. He realized that he was life to Miriam. The mother is deeply hurt by this. She throws her arms round Paul’s neck, hides her face on his shoulders and cries in a whispering voice.

I cannot bear…She would leave me not a bit of room.

The situation becomes quite emotional and intense with a long fervent kiss. Such a relation of mother and son inevitably reflects the Oedipus complex.

And in fact, all through the second half of the novel Paul’s relation with his mother assume the character of a husband substitute. He sticks to her by instinct as if he was her man. There are various incidents and situations in the novel where they both behave like lovers. This relationship inevitably pinches on wholesome sexual relationship with any other human. Consequently, Paul fails to establish well adjusted relationship both with Miriam and Clara. He has trouble handling and being comfortable with them. This shows Oedipus complex.

Lawrence was an explorer of human relationship and in this novel he has studied sex-relationship from different angles. He became successful in delineating the character of Paul psychologically. The novel traces the growth of the protagonist’s consciousness and the development of emotional relationship from a subtle psychological angle. Paul cannot give himself to Miriam because he knew that till his mother is alive he will not get freedom. He has sexual union with Clara and is conscious of his guilt. He finds he is carried away by her violent passion. His this relation brings a marked change in his attitude towards his mother. He realizes his mother is destroying him and he wants liberation. His act of giving an overdose of medicine in her milk is another aspect of Oedipus complex.

Graham Hugh is right when he says,

The whole situation presents the Freudian Oedipus Complex in almost classical completeness.