As a twentieth century novelist, essayist, and poet, David Herbert Lawrence brought the subjects of sex, psychology, and religion to the forefront of literature. One of the most widely read novels of the twentieth century, Sons and Lovers, which Lawrence wrote in 1913, produces a sense of Bildungsroman1, where the novelist re-creates his own personal experiences through the protagonist in (Niven 115). Lawrence uses Paul Morel, the protagonist in Sons and Lovers, for this form of fiction. With his mother of critical importance, Lawrence uses Freuds Oedipus complex, creating many analyses for critics. Alfred Booth Kuttner states the Oedipus complex as: the struggle of a man to emancipate himself from his maternal allegiance and to transfer his affections to a woman who stands outside the family circle (277). Pauls compromising situations with Miram Leivers and Clara Dawes, as well as the death of his mother, display the Oedipus complex throughout Sons and Lovers. At an adolescent age, Pauls oedipal love towards his mother is compromised by a young lady named Miram Leivers. This profound situation puts Paul to the emotional test of Oedipal versus physical love. As Kuttner goes on to state: Pauls admiration for his mother know no bounds; her presence is always absorbing. Often at the sight of her, his heart contracts with love (278). Pauls maternal relationship defines the Oedipus complex. Miram pulls Paul away from his mother, while Pauls mother, Gertrude, sees Miram as a threat to her son. Paul, even though Miram is around, still will not commit totally to her because of the strong ties between mother and son. Paul says to his mother, Ill never marry while Ive got you I wont (Lawrence 240). Lawrence wrote frequently of Pauls love belonging to his mother and only his mother (212). Though Miram Leivers could not truly find Pauls heart, another woman named Clara Dawes provides more stress on Pauls maternal relationship. Although Paul love...
