Abstract

David Herbert Lawrence is an important and controversial English writer of the 20th century. He is famous for his description and analysis of the psychological activity of the characters, as well as his penetrating perspective of love and sex. Sons and Lovers, the first of Lawrence’s important novel, is largely autobiographical. While the novel initially incited a lukewarm critical reception, along with allegations of obscenity, it is regarded as a masterpiece by many critics today. The Modern Library placed it ninth on their list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century. In this masterpiece, D. H. Lawrence reveals his ideas on love through the sprouting and failure of love of several couples. The paper tries to discuss the imbalance between spirit and flesh in Sons and Lovers by analyzing the failed marriage between Mr. and Mrs. Morel, and the love tragedies between protagonist Paul and his two lovers, Miriam and Clara, thus reflects the importance of the balance between spirit and flesh in healthy relationships between heterosexuality.

Keyword: imbalance; Oedipus; spirit; flesh

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

Introduction-4

1. 1 Background-4

1.2 Research Both at Home and Abroad-7

1.3 Significance-9

1.4 The Structure of the Paper-9

2. The Imbalance between Spirit and Flesh in Paul and Miriam’s Love Affair-10

2.1 The Puritan Love-10

2.2 The Carnal Desire-12

3. The Imbalance between Spirit and Flesh in Paul and Clara’s Love Affair-13

3.1 The Carnal Love-13

3.2 The Lack of Spirit-15

4. The Imbalance between Spirit and Flesh in Mr. and Mrs. Morel’s Marriage-16

4.1 The Void of Spirit-16

4.2 Oedipus Complex: the Negative Effect-17

5. Conclusion -18

Bibliography-19