Abstract: Sons and Lovers is a famous autobiographical novel written by D. H. Lawrence. Based on Freudian theory of Oedipus complex, this thesis discusses Paul Morel’s Oedipus complex through the description of his love towards his mother, Miriam and Clara, so as to dig out the reasons for Paul’s Oedipus complex.
Keywords: Oedipus complex; Sons and Lovers; Paul Morel
Sons and Lovers is an autobiographical story telling a working class boy’s growth in English Midlands. The setting of Sons and Lovers is in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire area of England in the 20th century. The Morels’ complicated relationship is the main clue of this novel. Paul, the little son, is unable to get rid of his mother, even after her death. This abnormal relationship is the main theme presented throughout the novel.
Ⅰ．Freudian Theory of Oedipus Complex
The concept of Oedipus complex refers to an ancient Greek mythology: a hero named Oedipus killed his father and married his mother unknowingly. According to this legend, Sigmund Freud posed the theory of Oedipus complex.
In Freud’s opinion, in the early age of a boy, the first sexual partner he fancies is his mother. He wants his mother all to himself; finds his father in the way, becomes restive when the latter takes upon himself to caress her, and shows his satisfaction when the father goes away or is absent. (Zhu 107) According to the concept of Oedipus complex, if a child can not smoothly pass through this mental stage, there should occur an “infantile neurosis”. That is an important forerunner of similar reactions during the child’s adult life. The superego also has its origin in the process of overcoming the Oedipus complex. Freud considers the reactions against the Oedipus complex the most important social achievements of the human mind. (106)
Ⅱ．The Development of Oedipus Complex in Sons and Lovers
Mrs. Morel, born in a middle-class family, doesn’t enjoy a happy marriage life. She holds an unforgivable hatred towards her poor husband. They always quarrel with each other, even fight. She transfers her love to her two sons and treats them as her lovers. She plays the role of psychological dependence in the two boys’ mind. When Paul falls in love with Miriam, Mrs. Morel disapproves, for she is actually jealous of Miriam. When Paul stays with her, Mrs. Morel feels that he is absent-minded because of Miriam. She thinks “Miriam exults as she carries him off from me; she is not like an ordinary woman, who can leave me my share in him. She wants to absorb him. She wants to draw him out and absorb him till there is nothing left of him, even for himself…” (Lawrence 57) So she always treats Miriam as her rival. Bur Mrs. Morel allows Paul to stay with another girl named Clara, for she thinks Clara can only get Paul’s body instead of his soul. So she can still get Paul’s love and heart.
推荐访问:Paul Analysis Psychological Complex