Introductory
Sons and Lovers is one of the controversial novels by D. H. Lawrence that hit the shelves in 1913, the very time when Sigmund Frieud was experimenting with his new theory Oedipus Complex. The very novel is based upon the concept of the Oedipus Complex. But before jumping to a lengthy discussion of the Oedipus Complex in Sons and Lovers, first, we have to make ourselves acquainted with the story and the term itself.
The story of Sons and Lovers revolves around a lady named Gertrude who is enchanted by the hard-working caricaturing of a coal miner known as Walter Morel. Their marriage is marked by a psychological turmoil and she detests her husband because of his bad tongue and excessive drinking. She tries hard to find love in her elder son, William but he dies. She, then, shifts her attention to her other son, Paul but the consequence of this relationship comes at the cost of Paul, not mixing with the girls of his age.
Oedipus Complex
Oedipus Complex is a psychological theory presented by Sigmund Freud. The theory is based upon a classical Greek tragedy on a Theban king known as Oedipus who unknowingly kills his father, marries his mother and gets children from her. But Freud uses this myth to illustrate the subconscious desire of having an un-natural relationship with the opposite sex of one's parents. This psychological complex can be defined as thus,
Oedipus Complex is a state in which a person shows excessive affection for the parent opposite in sex to him or herself, and a corresponding distaste for his or her other parent.
In simple terms, Oedipus Complex is an un-natural relationship of love between a son and his mother while detesting his father or vice versa. Let's explore about the same complex in Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence.
Autobiographical Complex
Lawrence's life was itself a complex matter of psychosocial limitations. His mother, Lydia was in love with a school teacher but she could not continue her relationship with him. Later, she found Arthur Lawrence, a coal miner and was married to him. But their marriage life proved to be a glaring failure. Lydia could not receive the amount of love that she expected from Arthur, that is why she turned her affections to her elder son but he kicked the bucket. Then she turned to D. H. Lawrence and he was enthusiastically attracted to his mother so that so he rejected Jessy's proposal, the one who helped Lawrence emerge as a writer.
Sons and Lovers is the most accurate representation of Lawrence's autobiographical complications and the characters of the novel do seem to parallel each other. Thus it is evident that Lawrence had developed an Oedipus Complex towards his mother and against his father. That is clearly visible in this novel.
Relationship between Paul and Mrs. Morel
The relationship between Paul and Mrs. Morel was not like a natural bond that naturally exists between a mother and her son. But their relationship was more than an ordinary relationship. Gertrude was seeing Paul as a substitute to her husband. Who had failed in providing her her sexual as well as psychological needs. The relationship between the two grew stronger when Paul was attacked by pneumonia and she nursed him with "great" care just because she did not want to lose her other son.
The incidents showcasing their un-natural love shock us but it was one of Gertrude's weapon to show her hatred towards her husband through Oedipus Complex. For instance, in Chapter VIII, Mrs. Morel expresses her lack of control on her husband to Paul as thus,
And I've never__ you know, Paul___I've never had a husband___not really___
To comfort his mother, Paul comes ahead and strokes her hair and kisses on her throat like a lover. She, in return, kisses him long but is watched by Walter who scolds Paul,
At your mischief again?
In another incident, both of them are depicted walking in Mrs. Leiver's Farm, Paul sticking a flower in her coat also can be regarded as his gesture of Oedipus Complex. He, infact, is not happy in having his old mother as his "sweetheart". Says he,
Why can't a man have a young mother? What is the old for?
Well, she scarcely help it.
And why wasn't I the oldest son? Look... they say that the young ones have the advantage... but look, they had the young mother. You should have had me as your oldest son.
This example clearly shows Paul as a character exhibiting Oedipus Complex. But such an influence of his mother over him creates different stunning blocks for him to find his true life partner.
Paul's Relationship with Miriam and Clara Daves
Paul is unable to maintain the balance between his beloved(s) out of the strong influence of his mother over him. As for Miriam, she was a religious-minded girl but as she would try to kiss his hand, he would withdraw it back abruptly. As for Clara Daves, she is hungry for having sex that Paul is unable to satisfy. He, indeed, loved both but he was not in the mode of marrying them. He explained his reason to his mother aa thus,
I never shall meet the right woman while you live.
This quote vividly demonstrates how well he is glued to his mother due to his Oedipus Complex.
Conclusion
Freud gave his theory of the Oedipus Complex in 1912, thus making Sons and Lovers the first novel to showcase Oedipus Complex in action. But it must be noted that Freud's theory did not motivate Lawrence to align his story to the very theory but he had experienced the very phenomenon in his own life.
Sources and Suggested Readings
- Sons and Lovers - Study Guide by Famous Products - Page 114
- Lectures of Sir Faisal
- https://englishhonshelp.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/oedipus-complex-in-sons-and-lovers/
