Sons and Lovers Oedipus Complex Autobiography

‘SONS AND LOVERS' AS AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY / OEDIPUS COMPLEX THEME
¹ Sons and Lovers, penned by the renowned Modern Age novelist D. H. Lawrence, stands out as an
autobiographical work akin to Arnold Bennett's Clayhanger and the initial portion of Charles
Dickens's David Copperfield. The novel bears the imprint of psychological influences from Sigmund
Freud, Adler, and Jung. Notably, it delves into the Oedipal complex, a concept introduced by Freud in
his psychosexual development theory, elucidating a male child's attraction to his mother and its
pivotal role in the phallic stage of development.
The term Oedipus has been derived from the name of the King Oedipus of Thebes, who, though in
ignorance, married his own mother and had children by her. Freud used this term to explain the
manifestation of infantile sexuality in the relation of the child to its parents. The Oedipus complex “is
a state 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.” If it is a son who is excessively fond of his mother
- as is Paul Morel fond of Mrs Morel- and extends his fondness beyond puberty, adversely affecting
the harmony of his relationship with other girls, we may also describe him as a victim of the mother
fixation.
D.H. Lawrence himself grappled with a profound Oedipus complex. His mother, Lydia Lawrence,
exerted a powerful influence on him, and he reciprocated by treating her with a lover-like devotion.
Lydia, providing him with life-warmth, became a source of inspiration shaping both his approach to
life and his literary pursuits. The autobiographical elements are evident as Lawrence, in 1910,
urgently sought the publication of "The White Peacock" so that his ailing mother could witness it
while maintaining her live consciousness. The affectionate bond between them, akin to young lovers,
finds repeated expression in his early poems.
² The autobiographical setting of Bestwood closely mirrors Eastwood, the village where Lawrence
spent his childhood. Born in a Nottinghamshire mining village, Lawrence depicted the life of coal
miners in the English Midlands in the novel, drawing from his own experiences. His father, a
minimally educated coal miner and heavy drinker, reflected the harsh reality of their labor in the dark
and damp pits, risking their lives day and night.
The miners, weighed down by distress and fatigue, sought temporary solace in wine. This hardship
resulted in a gradual roughness and peremptoriness, leading to ill-treatment of wives and children.
The portrayal resonates with Gertrude's predicament, capturing the shared struggles of thousands of
coal miners' wives in narrow and small houses.
Gertrude Morel, initially a morally and religiously inclined woman, marries Walter Morel, a warm,
sensuous miner with a rich laugh and a red, moist mouth. The early bliss of their marriage fades as
Walter's habitual drunkenness, indulgent lifestyle, and temperamental dishonesty strain their
connection. Mrs. Morel, repulsed by these traits, turns her emotional focus to her eldest son, William,
causing a gradual alienation from her husband. The possessive relationship intensifies as William
grows, symbolized by his gestures akin to a lover. However, Mrs. Morel struggles to tolerate
William's interactions with other girls, expressing hostility in crude terms.
³ In the latter part of the novel, Paul assumes the role of the head of the household, establishing a
relationship with his mother akin to that of a husband substitute. Their interactions, characterized by
shared chats and adventures, resemble those of lovers. The visit to Mrs. Leiver's Farm, where they
revel in the beauty of bluebells, exemplifies their ecstatic connection. Symbolically, Paul placing
flowers in his mother's coat underscores their deep affection.
A poignant moment arises when Paul expresses regret about having an "old" mother for a sweetheart,
wishing for a younger maternal figure. This dynamic influences Paul's struggles in establishing
balanced relationships with Miriam and Clara. Despite these challenges, the responsibility for these
failures isn't solely Paul's, as Miriam and Clara provide only "counterfeit loves." Miriam's nun-like
religious love and Clara's complexities contribute to the strenuous effort Paul faces, leading to the
exhaustion of his passion within a week.
The parallels between D.H. Lawrence's girlfriend from Nottingham High School, Jessie Chambers,
and Paul's beloved Miriam in Sons and Lovers are striking. Lawrence, an intelligent and smart
student, shared a deep but non-romantic connection with Jessie, who felt inferior to him. The
Chambers family was impressed by Lawrence's knowledge of literature and philosophy, marking a
period of fluctuating emotions in their relationship.
⁴ Following the end of his association with Jessie, Paul initiates another relationship, this time with
Louie Burrows, during the final days of his mother's life. The profound impact of his mother's death
on December 10, 1910, leaves Lawrence in a state of illness and grief for months.
Significantly, before his mother's passing, Lawrence begins crafting Sons and Lovers, originally titled
"Paul Morel." This novel stands out as his most autobiographical work, as Lawrence draws
extensively from his own memories and experiences to narrate the story of Paul Morel.
Sons and Lovers is often hailed as the first Freudian novel in English, as it incorporates the Freudian
Oedipus Complex. Despite this association, the novel's storyline was not influenced by Freud's
theories. D.H. Lawrence had already finalized the novel's draft before becoming familiar with Freud's
ideas.
⁵ Even during his time in Germany in 1912, where Freud was a common topic of discussion with
Frieda, it's unlikely that Lawrence altered the narrative to align with Freudian theories, given his focus
on understanding his own experiences.
Sons and Lovers stands as a remarkable convergence of the Oedipus Complex theme and the deeply
personal autobiography of D.H. Lawrence. While recognized as the first Freudian novel in English, it
is intriguing that Lawrence had completed the final draft before encountering Freud's theories. The
unwitting integration of the Oedipus Complex into the narrative, notably through the character of Paul
Morel, serves as a testament to the genuine, autobiographical nature of the novel. Lawrence's
portrayal of the intricate mother-son relationship reflects his own emotions and experiences, providing
readers with an authentic glimpse into the complex dynamics of his life.

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‘SONS AND LOVERS' AS AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY / OEDIPUS COMPLEX THEME

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