Eng426 20th century english literature

Entrapment and the search for freedom: Lawrence explores the experience of Constance being trapped by marriage to a man she grows to hate. Marriage as the creation of the society designates certain roles between the individuals involved in it. Connie is tied at the beginning of the novel to her husband Clifford by pity and by her duty as wife, and the consequence is that, he (Clifford) sucks life out of her. Not only is she trapped by marriage, Connie is also trapped in an estate that is neither beautiful nor productive. Wragby in Tevershall represents aristocracy throughout the novel with its bleak scarred, sterile midland landscape. The sterile land is a symbol of the dehumanising effects of industrialisation which has sucked life out of the town and Connie is also trapped by her family especially her sister, Hilda who has influenced her greatly.

The rebellious act of Constance against these forces is by extension a revolt against traditional norms. She frees herself from the marriage that was almost drowning her and has made her an unhappy character for most part of the novel. She also frees herself from the estate Wragby by refusing to comeback. Lastly she frees herself from Hilda’s influence by refusing to listen to her despite the warning that she will regret her actions. Lawrence therefore, develops the character of Lady Constance Chatterley from a submissive and dutiful wife of an aristocrat, to an adulterous rebellious woman, who stoops so low by having an affair with her servant.

Sexual Liberation: Sexual liberation was a social movement that challenged traditional codes of behaviour related to sexuality and interpersonal relationships throughout the western world in the twentieth century. It is said that at that time, public morality severely restricted open discussion of sex and specific sexual practices; such as sexual behaviour that did not lead to procreation or marriage (i.e prostitution, homosexuality, nudity and pornography). The explicit description of sex in the novel is without apology, the free discussion by the intellectuals who gather at Wragby Hall and several sexual escapades of Connie depict anti-tradition and all that the society represents. The novel at one time was banned because it was believed to have promoted pornography and other ‘illegal’ sexual practices. Nevertheless, Lawrence wants his reader to see that beyond the
several sexual escapades is the idea that people should embrace the sensualities of life, not just necessarily sex, but feelings in general.