Sons and lovers critics summary

Summary #1

“Sons and Lovers: A Psychoanalytic Criticism”

The article entitled “Son and Lovers: A Psychoanalytic Criticism” references not only from one novel but speaks of the similarity between sons and lovers and Hamlet. Reason being, is that the subject of Oedipus complex is present in both novel; this is where a male (usually the son) harbors deep feeling towards his mother. The review is based on the theory of Sigmund Freud and human development. This is then turned and completely linked to behavioral patterns from the main character of the mentioned novels; Oedipus complex. This summarizes Paul’s and William’s behavior to their mother and the troubles that come with the subject. Even after William and Paul both enter into a relationship, they feel conflicted due to their Oedipus complex. They compare the women in their lives to their mother but they both become frustrated and angered; feeling hopeless because their lovers were not their mother.

Summary #2

Chris Semansky

In this essay, Semansky considers Lawrence's novel as a Bildungsroman

In this review, Semansky talks about the author of sons and lovers, D.H Lawrence as being linked to Paul who is a character of his novel. It describes the hardship and difficulty of Paul in his dysfunctional family; a mother who he harbors feelings for and a father he cannot seem to accept along with his three sibling; his older brother, William who is conflicted with Oedipus complex as himself. Semansky reveals his thought of the novel being Bildungsroman, an autobiographical novel. He also feels that Lawrence’s novel was inspired by the early events in his life. Paul who is the narrator, is engrossed in life around his mother that he becomes infatuated with her and seeks to further pull her away from his father grasp.

Questions:

Why do the children hate Walter?

What has his actions caused?

How important is Paul’s relationship with his mother?

Does he regret her views?

The children hate their father because they were forced to witness the abusive marriage of their parents; where Walter always comes home drunk and broke from gambling. They resented him greatly for this. Soon they started to show sympathy towards their mother, who was at the end of their father’s whiplashes. Seeing this, Paul and William decides that they have to protect their dear mother. Paul’s life which is closely related to the author, the reader show a sense of sympathy for Paul because he was present to witness the deterioration of his family along with the loss of his dear mother. Paul’s relationship with his mother became closer after the death of William and he vowed he would protect her. She confided in him after fights wi