Eng426 20th century english literature

Modernist Themes in D.H Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Breaking class bounds: In the novel, we have a society that is marked by class difference and conflict: the upper, the middle, and the working classes are well represented. While Connie was lower in class to Clifford before her marriage to him, Clifford represents aristocracy and he has his own big hall with servants to attend to him. The relationship among the classes in the traditional Victorian time was well defined in such a way that the boundaries are set. In the novel, there is constant insecurity that arises among the classes that makes them feel a kind of resentment for one another. Lawrence captures this dissatisfaction and resentment of the colliers against Clifford.

But the First World War and the aftermath made men to begin to have a new vision about life that is different from the one they had before the war. The war drew men away from traditional sensibilities, individual problems became deeper and complex, bringing about

a change in the world idea as exemplified in the changing tradition that affects Constance and Clifford’s marriage and the relationship between them deteriorated to the extent that Connie no longer enjoys his company and his writings. Clifford on the other hand, is a man that is incapable of any feeling to the extent that he does not notice her weariness. Clifford’s physical paralysis translates to his sexual incapability and in a way affects how he sees life between himself, his wife, the workers and the world. As Clifford and Connie later find solace and companionship in their servants, there is a break in class boundaries and restrictions. Constance becomes sexually and emotionally involved with Mellors Oliver, their game keeper, and Clifford becomes more dependent on Mrs Bolton to the extent that he teaches her games, which is only common among the aristocrats and she begins to serve as his typist.