Son and Lovers Summary

Sons and Lovers Summary  

Chapter 1: The early married life of the Morels.

Mrs. Morel, who has been married to Mr. Walter Morel for eight year has three children: William (7), Annie (5) and an unborn child she was thought to expect in September. She always thought that nothing would happen to her until William and the rest of her children grew up. She did not want the third child because she despised the father and now felt like she was completely tied to Walter. Mrs. Morel once loved her husband until 7 months into their marriage when she found unpaid bills in his coat. When she inquired about them she found out that he had not paid off the furniture, had no money and the ownership of the house they were living in all belonged to her ‘beloved’ mother-in-law. Walter is a drunkard and often times the couple have an argument. But on a particular night when Walter returned home, intoxicated, he and Mrs. Morel had a fight and he kick her out of the house. She wandered off into a field of flowers, but returned after some thinking. After her knocking, he woke from his drunken seat and allowed her entry into the house.

Chapter 2: The birth of Paul and another Battle

Feeling guilty for treating his wife so horrible, Walter tries his best to help her out by making her some tea; but she just brushes him off. As she goes into labour, Mrs. Morel calls the midwife, Mrs. Bowen and gives birth to a boy. After another argument with her husband, Mrs. Morels take the newborn and Annie for a walk in the cricket field. There she looked at the baby and was overwhelmed with a feeling of love then decided that she would name him Paul. When Walter comes home drunk one night, the couple have a fight which led to Mrs. Morels getting injured. Walter storms off, collects his belongings and leaves; Mrs. Morel, however, knowing her husband so well, knew that he would be back soon. His luggage was found and he was back home in no time. One night after returning home and seeing that he had no money, Mr. Walters went into his wife’s purse and stole six pence to get a drink. When he was confronted, he refused flatly. This once again led to an argument

Chapter 3: The Casting off of Morels – The taking on of William

When Mr. Morel falls ill, Mrs. Morel gets help from the neighbors in taking care of him. Because of this, he feels spoilt and enjoys the attention of his wife. He begins to want more of her company, but she once again brushes him off and finds solace in her beloved children, rather than him. During the time of Walter’s illness, Arthur was conceived (when Paul was 17 months) and after he was born, he became fond of his father which made Mrs. Morel happy. However as the children grow, more problems arise such as Paul’s sudden turn to depression and ripping the neighbor’s son collar. Although Mrs. Morel sorts out the problem, Walter is also informed of the incident and rushes home in a rage to punish Paul but Mrs. Morel prevents him from doing so. In doing this, the couple fight. After this, Mrs. Morel joins a club and gets William a job to which Walter has a problem because he was hoping that William would mine like himself. William begins to dance then women begin to come to him. Mrs. Morel keeps turning them away which leads to the argument between her son and herself.  After William is offered a job in England, Mrs. Morel becomes depressed. William who is excited, doesn’t notice his mother’s behavior and leaves for England.