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Sons and Lovers
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Sons and Lovers (1913) (edit title/settings)

by D. H. Lawrence (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Sons and Lovers is one of the landmark novels of the twentieth century. When it appeared in 1913, it was immediately recognized as the first great modern restatement of the oedipal drama, and it is now widely considered the major work of D. H. Lawrence's early period. This intensely... read more

Summary edit see section history

Gertrude Coppard, engineer's daughter, marries Nottinghamshire miner Walter Morel. The couple have four children and the early life of the family forms the first part of the book. Of the children, William (the first) and Paul (the third) are the most significant.

Walter Morel (despite... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

Gertrude Coppard, engineer's daughter, marries Nottinghamshire miner Walter Morel. The couple have four children and the early life of the family forms the first part of the book. Of the children, William (the first) and Paul (the third) are the most significant.

Walter Morel (despite ostentatious claims to tee-totalism) proves to be an alcoholic, violent and dishonest (though apparently very hard-working) husband. The marriage is characterised by passionate exchanges between Gertrude and Walter (and latterly their children) which often end in physical confrontation, often over money. Walter Morel is a physically robust character who, though injured badly at times, survives to the end.

Initially more important of the children is William. He grows into a strong, well-built and intelligent character. Growing up he demonstrates both sporting and intellectual prowess (teaching french, for instance). Eventually he gains employment locally before moving to London. There he becomes involved with a young socialite, works in the law and tries to learn latin in what spare time he has. Eventually he becomes sick and dies, his mother at his side in poor lodgings in London.

Gertrude sinks into despair at the loss of her eldest son and is only pulled out of it by serious illness to Paul. He (now working in Nottingham) develops pneumonia and nearly dies. At this point we are told Mrs Morel's life "rooted itself in Paul". This is the end of the first part of the book.

In the second part of the book the focus shifts to Paul. He, having 'launched into life' in part one, Paul now develops an intimate relationship with Miriam Leivers, a farmer's daughter who is at least as sensitive as Paul. The relationship oscillates between one of friendship and of romantic lovers- the source of great tension between the characters. Miriam is greatly disliked by Mrs Morel who claims that she would 'leave no room for me'.

Later, through Miriam, Paul meets Clara Dawes who is an older, beautiful woman. She is the estranged wife of Baxter Dawes (a working class man who, like Walter Morel, is not shy of using his fists). Initially glacial towards Paul the two quickly become involved sexually with one another. At this point Miriam is sidelined. Baxter Dawes finds out about the relationship and confronts Paul at work then waylays him (and badly beats him).

Meanwhile, Gertrude Morel's health has gradually been failing. She eventually develops cancer and deteriorates rapidly. The account of her sickness, and the effect this has on Paul, is the most poignant part of the book. She eventually dies and leaves Paul desolate. Clara and Baxter are reunited, Paul finally rejects Miriam and his fate is left unknown. He does, however, decide against suicide and the book closes with him walking"towards the faintly humming, glowing town, quickly."

Characters/People edit see section history

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Quotes edit see section history

  • “Recklessness is almost a man's revenge on his woman. He feels he is not valued, so he will risk destroying himself to deprive her altogether.”
  • “Sometimes life takes hold of one, carries the body along, accomplishes one's history, and yet is not real, but leaves oneself as it were slurred over.”
  • “"Recklessness is... a man's revenge on his" mother. "He feels he is not valued, so he will risk destroying himself to deprive her altogether."”
  • “He could not leave her, because in one way she did hold the best of him. He could not stay with her because she did not take the rest of him, which was three-fourths."”
    Narrator about Marion

Setting & Locations edit see section history

The English Midlands and the coast of Lincolnshire

First Sentence edit see section history

'The Bottoms' succeeded to 'Hell Row'.

Table of Contents edit see section history

1. The Early Married Life of the Morels
2. The Birth of Paul, and Another Battle
3. The Casting off of Morel - The Taking on of William
4. The Young Life of Paul
5. Paul Launches into Life
6. Death in the Family
7. Lad-and-Girl Love
8. Strife in Love
9. Defeat of Miriam
10. Clara
11. The Test on Miriam
12. Passion
13. Baxter Dawes
14. The Release
15. Derelict

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 71 of 96 in Newsweek's Top 100 Books: The Meta-List. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, and followed by All the King's Men.

This is book 11 of 93 in Modern Library's 100 Best Novels: The Board's List. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Under the Volcano, and followed by The Grapes of Wrath.

This is book 28 of 96 in Waterstone's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century. (authoritative list)

Preceded by A Clockwork Orange, and followed by To the Lighthouse.

This is book 749 of 1272 in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (authoritative list)

Preceded by The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, and followed by Death in Venice.

This book is in Penguin Classics. (edition-based publisher list)
This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This is book 48 of 214 in Best English-Language Fiction of the 20th Century. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Howards End, and followed by Go Tell It on the Mountain.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. D. H. Lawrence (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Gerald Duckworth and Company Ltd
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 1913
ISBN: 978-1-59308-013-6
Page Count: 423

Awards edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: 2003100880
  • Dewey: 823.912

Movie Connections edit see section history

  • Sons and Lovers: Director Jack Cardiff's 1960 adaptation featured Dean Stockwell and earned seven Academy Award nominations.

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