Sons and Lovers as a - Psychological Novel

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Sons  and Lovers as a 

PsychologicalNovel

 

Grahm Hough in his ‘The Dark Sun: A. study of D.H. Lawrence ‘views ’son of lovers’ as a psychological novel the importance of which lies  insights but also in its Freudianism. So, it is called a psychological novel per excellence. The remarkable development of psychological novel is a notable phenomenon of the 20^th century literary scene. The psychology of the characters as well as the typical problems, emanating from a particular psychological pattern from the staple of a psychological novel.  This type of novel lays stress on psycho- analysis. The novelist becomes a psychologists, psychologists as well as brings focus, the subtle and intricate psychical cross currents. The analysis of the psychology of the characters is what constitutes the motif of a psychological fiction.

 

                                It was undoubradly    the great creative facility of D.H. Lawrence, which was responsible for the intention of psychological novel. Here, we can easily say that Lawrence is the pioneer of psychological fiction. The psychological theories as well as concepts enunciated and disseminated by Freud and Jung revolutionized the world of conventional human thought. They of course, exerted a great for motive influence on Lawrence. According to the eminent psychologist. The human thought is operative at three levels –conscious, unconscious as well as subconscious. The mass  of human thought  lies dormant  in the  subconscious and the  unconscious  minds;  but sometimes  it comes  out of  the surface. Lawrence, as a psychological novelists, has sought to externalize the recondite thoughts that lie hidden in the inner recesses of the subconscious as well as conscious minds.   

 

Instead of printing the life and activities of an Augustan hero, in a vast Aeschliman scale, the novelist concentrates on the subtle shadow of the psyche of his characters. Hence, Lawrence was preoccupied with the inner life of his characters. He set himself to the task of portraying the psyche as well as not the hard foots.    

 

                The modern novelists along with D.H. Lawrence take the readers strength into the psychological plane of the characters and in so doing they allow the readers to descend the incessant flow of sensations and impressions that rise up in the minds of the characters.

 

        This ‘stream of consciousness’ technique has made it possible for the novelists experimenting on the time as well as place. The plot is rescued from the bondage of time. The action doesn’t proceed forward chronologically. In order to suit the artistic purpose, novelists make the action move forward and backward.  

 

The novelists bold originally is exemplified by his expressionistic style. His style is more poetic than the prosaic style of others. He has used plants of vivid images and symbols for giving expressions to the complex thought process of psyche of his characters. Lawerences foreshadowed these orthodox style in his novels. Later on James Joyce as well as Virginia Woolf perfected it with their mature artistry.

 

        The ‘Oedipus complex’ which constitutes a psychological problem, is the nucleus of the novel ‘sons and lovers’. The possessive figures of Mrs. Morel was great stumbling block in the life of the hero of the novel, Paul.  She was terribly dissatisfied with her hellish married life. Subsequently she then exerted her influence on Paul’s life who wouldn’t free himself from the moths - fixation. This influence was so preponderant as well as so much overweening assertive that Paul could not get a balance emotion life. He failed to set up a becoming relationship both with Mariam as well as Clara. In his sensitive character, we notice the warmth and passion of a lover. The complex psychological problem has been treated by D.H. Lawrence with the consummate art of a poet and an unfailing observation as well as insight of a psychologist.         

 

 

Symbol in Sons and Lovers

Symbols add to the meaning of expressions. They help a writer in communicating as well as expressing the psyche or consciousness of his characters. They suggest more than what they actually describe. D.H. Lawrence also uses symbols like most modern novelists to increase the expressiveness of his language and much of that would other-wise remain vague   and unknowable. He uses not only word symbols.  Such as coal pits, ash-tree, swing etc, but also symbolic scenes.

                                     The coal pits standing at the horizon are a  concrete reality. The whole life of the community depends  upon them. They are not only pits, but  symbolize a particular way of and a particular  attitude towards life.  They are closely associated with Walter Morel who stands for the external  principle. Paul Morel associates them with not only vividly but also being alive. Going a step further, the descent and ascent of the coal pits becomes the symbols of the sexual rhythm, or the rhythm of sleep and awakening or of life and death. They are all natural rhythms and they  are to be  contrasted with the artificial way of life, the sophisticated people stand for.