Summary
Women in Love is widely considered D.H. Lawrence's masterpiece and a trailblazer in erotic fiction. Published in 1920, the novel explores themes of love, sexuality, and human relationships against the backdrop of English society before World War I. The novel follows the romantic and philosophical journeys of two sisters, Ursula and Gudrun Brangwen, as they pursue relationships with Rupert Birkin and Gerald Crich. Through these characters, Lawrence delves into the complexities of human desire, the struggle between intellect and instinct, and the changing dynamics between men and women in a rapidly modernizing world.
Highly provocative and ahead of its time, Women in Love has left an indelible mark on literature and popular culture. In 1969, the novel was adapted into an acclaimed film directed by Ken Russell, starring Glenda Jackson, who won an Academy Award for her performance.
Plot
Set in early 20th-century England, Women in Love follows the romantic and philosophical journeys of two pairs of lovers. Sisters Ursula and Gudrun Brangwen become entangled with school inspector Rupert Birkin and industrialist Gerald Crich, respectively. As their relationships develop, the novel explores themes of love, sexuality, and societal expectations against the backdrop of a changing world.
Ursula, a schoolteacher, forms a deep connection with Rupert, a school inspector, based on their intellectual and emotional compatibility. Their relationship progresses steadily as they grapple with questions of marriage and commitment. Meanwhile, Gudrun, an artist, enters into a tumultuous affair with Gerald, heir to a coal mining fortune. Their passion is intense but fraught with conflict and power struggles.
The foursome's intertwining lives are further complicated by the tragic drowning of Gerald's sister and the death of his father. These events serve as catalysts for deeper introspection and changing dynamics within the group. The novel reaches a climax when the two couples take a holiday together in the Austrian Alps, where tensions rise to the surface.
In the mountains, Gudrun begins a provocative friendship with a German sculptor named Loerke, inciting Gerald's jealousy and rage. Unable to control his emotions, Gerald attempts to strangle Gudrun before fleeing into the snowy wilderness, where he ultimately freezes to death. The novel concludes with Rupert and Ursula grappling with the aftermath of Gerald's death and the nature of their own relationship, leaving readers to ponder the complexities of human connection and desire.
Themes
Complex relationships between men and women
Industrialization and its impact on society
The nature of love and desire
Tension between intellect and passion
Class dynamics in early 20th-century England
Exploration of sexuality and gender roles
The search for meaning and fulfillment in modern life
Setting
Set in the early 20th century, primarily in the years leading up to World War I, Women in Love unfolds against the backdrop of England's industrial Midlands. The novel captures a society in transition, with the old rural ways giving way to increasing industrialization and modernization.
The story largely takes place in and around Beldover, a fictional mining town based on Lawrence's native Eastwood in Nottinghamshire. Key scenes occur at Shortlands, the Crich family's country manor, symbolizing the fading aristocratic order. The narrative also ventures to London, where Gudrun has studied art, reflecting the cultural contrasts between provincial and metropolitan life.
In the latter part of the novel, the setting shifts dramatically to the Austrian Alps. This change in scenery provides a stark contrast to the industrial English Midlands and serves as a backdrop for the climactic events of the story. The pristine, snow-covered mountains offer both a sense of escape and isolation, intensifying the psychological drama between the characters.
Characters
Ursula Brangwen: One of the two main female protagonists. A schoolteacher in her late 20s, Ursula is intelligent, passionate, and searching for meaning in life. She develops a relationship with Rupert Birkin and grapples with questions of love, independence, and fulfillment. Ursula represents a modern woman trying to break free from societal constraints.
Gudrun Brangwen: Ursula's younger sister and the other main female protagonist. An artist in her mid-20s, Gudrun is more cynical and restless than Ursula. She becomes involved with Gerald Crich but struggles with emotional intimacy. Gudrun embodies the artistic temperament and a darker, more destructive approach to relationships.
Rupert Birkin: A school inspector and one of the main male characters. Philosophical and introspective, Birkin pursues a relationship with Ursula while also seeking a deep bond with Gerald. He often expresses Lawrence's own views on society, relationships, and human nature. Birkin represents the intellectual seeking both heterosexual and homosocial connections.
Gerald Crich: The other main male character, heir to a coal mining empire. Physically powerful and emotionally repressed, Gerald is drawn to both Gudrun and Birkin. He struggles with intimacy and his own violent impulses. Gerald embodies industrial modernity and its dehumanizing effects on the individual.
Hermione Roddice: An aristocratic woman and Birkin's former lover. Intellectual and domineering, she represents a type of sterile intellectualism that Birkin rejects.
Thomas Crich: Gerald's father and owner of the coal mines. His decline and death significantly impact Gerald's character development.
Loerke: A German sculptor who becomes involved with Gudrun later in the novel. He represents decadent art and serves as a catalyst for the final confrontation between Gudrun and Gerald.
Diana Crich: Gerald's sister who drowns early in the novel. Her death foreshadows themes of destruction and the power of water in the story.
Quick facts
D.H. Lawrence wrote much of Women in Love while living in Cornwall during World War I.
The author originally conceived Women in Love as the second half of a larger work called The Sisters, with The Rainbow being the first part.
Women in Love was first published privately in the United States in 1920 due to censorship concerns in the UK.
The character of Rupert Birkin is largely based on D.H. Lawrence himself.
The famous nude wrestling scene between Gerald and Birkin was highly controversial when the book was released.
Lawrence faced a libel suit from Lady Ottoline Morrell, who believed her likeness was negatively portrayed in the novel.
The book was banned in the UK for 11 years after its initial publication.
Women in Love was ranked at 49 on the Modern Library's list of the 100 best English-language novels published during the 20th century.
Glenda Jackson won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Gundrun Brangwen in the 1969 film adaptation.
Lawrence considered Women in Love to be his best novel.
About the Author
D.H. Lawrence (1885-1930) was a prolific and controversial English writer of the early 20th century. Born in Nottinghamshire, he drew heavily on his working-class upbringing in the coal mining region for his early works. His most famous novels include Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, Women in Love, and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Lawrence's frank and explicit depictions of sexuality in his writing were considered shocking for the time and led to censorship of some of his works.
In addition to novels, Lawrence was an accomplished poet, essayist, playwright, and painter. His poetry collections like Birds, Beasts and Flowers showcased his keen observations of nature. Lawrence's literary criticism, including Studies in Classic American Literature, offered influential interpretations of writers like Herman Melville. Though less well-known, Lawrence's paintings became another important creative outlet, especially in his later years.
Lawrence lived a nomadic lifestyle for much of his adulthood, traveling extensively with his wife Frieda. They spent time in Italy, Australia, Mexico, and the American Southwest, among other places. Lawrence's travels inspired works like Sea and Sardinia and Mornings in Mexico. His time in New Mexico led to the acquisition of a ranch near Taos that is now preserved as the D.H. Lawrence Ranch.
Though controversial in his lifetime, Lawrence's literary reputation grew after his death. The obscenity trial over the uncensored publication of Lady Chatterley's Lover in 1960 marked a turning point in how his work was received. Today, Lawrence is recognized as a pioneering modernist writer who explored themes of sexuality, instinct, and humanity's connection to nature in innovative ways. His influence can be seen in authors ranging from Anaïs Nin to Doris Lessing.
