Sons and Lovers

Novel | D. H. Lawrence

How does Lawrence apply ‘impressionism’ in “Sons and Lovers?”

Premium

How does Lawrence apply impressionism or the impressionistic technique in Sons and Lovers Impressionism is a writing style that shows short and quick feelings It does not tell everything in full detail It shows little parts like small colour strokes in a painting In Sons and Lovers D H Lawrence uses this style to paint life love and nature Nature and Mood Lawrence often uses nature to mirror feelings Flowers moonlight and seasons express emotions more than words For example when Paul paints or gives tulips to his mother the colours show his love Light colour and scene work like impressionist strokes They create atmosphere not just description Feelings over Facts Impressionism shows inner states not outer facts Lawrence writes Paul s love for his mother in shifting moods fear joy sadness The narrator says His Paul soul seemed always attentive to her Gertrude Here attention and feeling are more

important than action In love scenes with Miriam impressions of her eyes her silence and her presence create a mood not an event This makes the story emotional not just realistic Shifting Light on Relationships Relationships are shown like colours changing in light Walter and Gertrude s marriage is seen in quick flashes quarrels silence hatred Lawrence says Each forgot everything save the hatred of the other This is an impression not a long detail Similarly Paul s struggle with Miriam and Clara is painted in broken moods Impressionism makes their love unclear mixed and moving just like real life In Sons and Lovers Lawrence uses impressionism to show life in moods not in fixed lines Nature colours and shifting feelings create the story s atmosphere Love is not explained but suggested Marriage family and passion are seen in light and shadow Impressionism makes the novel more emotional and artistic

Continue Reading

Sign in and subscribe to unlock the full content