Abstract: David Herbert Lawrence, known as a famous novelist in western literature, is the most influential and controversial British writer in the 20th century. In his life time, he had created many excellent pieces. One of his famous work Sons and Lovers is an autobiography and an early work which reflects both the penetrating social problem and psychological problem. For a long time, most of critics always put their attention on the “Oedipus Complex “of this novel. However, from the perspective of feminism, the work shows the complicate and close connection between women, man and nature.
This thesis tries to point out the relation among men, women and nature, and the tragedy of women in Sons and Lovers by analyzing it in the perspective of feminism. By the analysis, Lawrence’s view of feminism is reflected. In Sons and Lovers, the theme is Mr. Morel’s unnatural love to his mother and his complex relationship with two women. Those three women all live in the patriarchy families and live in a tragic life but they still possess the features of New Women. At the beginning the thesis presents the miserable life of the three women to emphasize the society that they are living in. Then their awareness and behavior is described to show their changes. The thesis exposes that only by respecting women’s status and realizing the equal right between nature and human can people enjoy harmony.
With the method of feminism, the three females’ tragedy and their family life are analyzed in detail. The status of males is in decline and women begin to show their self-consciousness of independence. At the same time, the awakening awareness of women in that period can give great reflections to the feminist movement today. By doing this, Lawrence shows his attitude towards women that he is a supporter of feminism and his work also is a guide for many women.
Key words: Lawrence; Sons and Lovers; feminism; nature; harmony
