Summary

Sons and Lovers, published in 1913, is D. H. Lawrence's third novel and widely considered his first masterpiece. This semi-autobiographical work explores the complex relationships within a working-class mining family in Nottinghamshire, England. Lawrence's vivid portrayal of the intimacies and tensions in the Morel household revolutionized English literature by delving into the psychological depths of ordinary people's lives.

The novel traces the emotional journey of Paul Morel, torn between his possessive mother and two very different lovers. Lawrence's frank treatment of sexuality and family dynamics was groundbreaking for its time, leading to allegations of obscenity upon its initial release. Despite this controversial reception, Sons and Lovers is now regarded as a seminal work of 20th-century literature.

In 1960, Sons and Lovers was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Jack Cardiff. The movie, starring Trevor Howard and Dean Stockwell, brought Lawrence's intense family drama to the silver screen, introducing new audiences to this powerful story of love, conflict, and self-discovery. The novel's enduring relevance has  inspired multiple television adaptations.

Plot

Set in early 20th century England, Sons and Lovers follows the Morel family, focusing on the complex relationships between Mrs. Gertrude Morel, her husband Walter, and their children. The story begins with Gertrude, a refined woman, marrying Walter, a rough coal miner. Their marriage quickly becomes strained due to their different backgrounds and Walter's drinking habits.

As the couple grows apart, Gertrude shifts her affections to her sons, particularly William and Paul. William, the eldest, moves to London for work and becomes engaged, but tragically dies of pneumonia. This loss devastates Gertrude, who then turns her attention to Paul, her second son.

Paul, an aspiring artist, becomes torn between his devotion to his mother and his desire for independence. He develops a close relationship with Miriam, a farmer's daughter, but struggles to commit to her fully. Later, Paul becomes involved with Clara Dawes, a married woman separated from her husband. These relationships are constantly overshadowed by Paul's strong bond with his mother.

As Gertrude's health declines, Paul's conflicted feelings intensify. He breaks off his relationships with both Miriam and Clara, unable to fully give himself to either woman while his mother lives. The novel concludes with Gertrude's death, leaving Paul alone and struggling to find his place in the world without his mother's influence.

Themes

• Oedipal love 

• Maternal bonds

• Class conflict and social mobility

• The struggle between intellectualism and sensuality

• The search for identity and independence

• Industrialization and its impact on family life

• The tension between passion and responsibility

• The restrictive nature of traditional gender roles

Setting

Set in the early 20th century, Sons and Lovers unfolds against the backdrop of England's industrial Midlands. The story primarily takes place in the coal-mining town of Bestwood, a fictionalized version of Lawrence's hometown of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire. This gritty, working-class setting forms a stark contrast to the protagonists' aspirations and inner struggles.

The novel vividly portrays the harsh realities of life in a mining community during the Edwardian era. Lawrence meticulously details the day-to-day experiences of the Morel family, from the cramped living conditions in their small house to the ever-present coal dust that permeates their lives. The nearby pits and the rhythms of the miners' work schedules serve as a constant reminder of the economic constraints shaping the characters' lives.

Beyond Bestwood, the narrative occasionally shifts to other locales, including Nottingham and London. These urban settings provide a counterpoint to the provincial mining town, highlighting the social and cultural divide between rural and city life in early 20th-century England. Through these contrasts, Lawrence explores themes of class mobility, education, and the pull between tradition and modernity. 

Characters

• Paul Morel: The protagonist and central character. A sensitive and artistic young man torn between his attachment to his mother and his romantic relationships. Paul struggles to find his identity and independence while navigating complex family dynamics and romantic entanglements. His journey of self-discovery and artistic development forms the core of the novel.

• Gertrude Morel: Paul's mother and a major influence in his life. An educated, refined woman who feels trapped in her marriage to a coarse miner. She develops an intensely close bond with her sons, especially Paul, which impacts their relationships with other women. Her disappointment in her marriage leads her to live vicariously through her children.

• Walter Morel: Paul's father, a coal miner. A rough, uneducated man prone to drinking and occasional violence. His volatile relationship with Gertrude creates tension in the household. Despite his flaws, he shows moments of tenderness, especially towards his daughter Annie.

• Miriam Leivers: Paul's first love interest. An innocent, spiritual young woman who forms an intense intellectual and emotional connection with Paul. Their relationship is passionate but ultimately unfulfilling, as Paul struggles to fully commit to her.

• Clara Dawes: A married woman with whom Paul has an affair. More experienced and sensual than Miriam, Clara offers Paul a different kind of relationship. Their passionate liaison helps Paul explore his sexuality but ultimately cannot overcome his bond with his mother.

• William Morel: Paul's older brother. An ambitious young man who moves to London to pursue a career. His engagement to a shallow young woman and subsequent death deeply affect the family, especially his mother.

• Annie Morel: Paul's sister. A minor character who provides a different perspective on the family dynamics.

• Arthur Morel: Paul's younger brother. He plays a smaller role in the narrative but represents a different path from his older brothers.

• Baxter Dawes: Clara's estranged husband. His presence complicates Paul's relationship with Clara and leads to a physical confrontation between the two men.

Quick facts

• The novel is heavily autobiographical, drawing on Lawrence's own upbringing in a mining town in Nottinghamshire, England.

• Lawrence wrote and rewrote the novel four times before he was satisfied with the final version.

• The book's original title was “Paul Morel” before Lawrence changed it to Sons and Lovers.

• About 10% of Lawrence's original text was cut by editor Edward Garnett prior to publication.

• The novel explores Freud's Oedipus complex theory through the relationship between Paul and his mother.

• It was Lawrence's third published novel but is considered by many to be his first masterpiece.

• The book faced allegations of obscenity upon its initial release in 1913 due to its frank portrayal of sexuality.

• Lawrence began writing the novel during his mother's terminal illness and completed it after her death.

• In 1999, Sons and Lovers was ranked 9th on the Modern Library's list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

• The novel has been adapted into film multiple times, including an Oscar-winning version in 1960.

About the Author

D.H. Lawrence was an influential English writer of the early 20th century, known for his provocative novels exploring human relationships and sexuality. Born in 1885 in Nottinghamshire, Lawrence drew heavily on his working-class upbringing in the English Midlands for works like Sons and Lovers. His most famous and controversial novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover, explicitly depicted a sexual relationship between an upper-class woman and her gamekeeper, challenging social taboos of the time.

Lawrence was a prolific author across many genres, writing novels, short stories, poems, plays, essays, and travel books. Some of his best-known works include The Rainbow, Women in Love, and the short story “The Rocking-Horse Winner". His writing style was characterized by intense psychological insight, vivid descriptions of nature, and a focus on the tensions between civilization and human instincts. Lawrence believed modern society had become too cerebral and sought to restore emphasis on the physical and instinctual aspects of human experience.

Throughout his life, Lawrence faced censorship and persecution for the explicit content and unconventional ideas in his work. He spent much of his later years in self-imposed exile, traveling with his wife Frieda to countries like Italy, Australia, and Mexico. During this “savage pilgrimage", as he called it, Lawrence produced some of his most significant writing. He also took up painting in his final years, hosting a controversial exhibition in London in 1929 that was raided by police for obscenity. Lawrence died of tuberculosis in 1930 at the age of 44. Today, Lawrence is regarded as a pioneering modernist writer who pushed boundaries in his exploration of human psychology, sexuality, and the conflict between instinct and societal expectations.