The following term paper is going to take a closer look at D. H. Lawrence’s novel "Women in Love" and on his seemingly new “philosophy of the relationship of men and women”. The second part of the paper will deal with Simone de Beauvoir’s critique on D. H. Lawrence “Phallic Pride”. It will also include Betty Friedan’s "The Feminine Mystique" which was published in 1963. Both shall be examined as to the image of the presented roles of men and women.
The novel "Women in Love" was written by D. H. Lawrence and published in 1921.
The book was supposed to be sequel to the novel called "The Rainbow".
However, both novels were censured in the UK and in France because they were thought to be too sexually explicit.
The book "The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir is an analysis of the oppression of women and is regarded a major work of feminist literature.
The book was published in 1949 and was highly influential for the revolution of 1968.
Simone de Beauvoir is regarded a pioneer of feminism.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definition of the word “Phallus”
3. D. H. Lawrence’s “new philosophy of the relationship between men and women”
3.1 The Completeness of each individual being
3.2 Balance of Powers
3.3 The individuals should cast off themselves
4. Simone de Beauvoir’s critique of D. H. Lawrence’s “Phallic Pride”
4.1 Women are still dominated by men
4.2 Women are still passive
4.3 Women depend on men
4.4 Women are emotional and men are rational
4.5 Women should cast off themselves
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines D. H. Lawrence’s novel Women in Love to analyze his philosophy regarding gender relationships, specifically focusing on Simone de Beauvoir's feminist critique of his concept of "Phallic Pride" and male superiority.
- D. H. Lawrence’s philosophy of male and female relationships.
- Simone de Beauvoir’s critique of patriarchal power structures.
- Gender dynamics, including dominance, passivity, and emotional vs. rational roles.
- The concept of "Phallus" as a symbol of power in literature.
- Individual independence versus subordination in romantic partnerships.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Balance of Powers
Birkin claims that he does not want a power relationship with Ursula. In a relationship no one should dominate the other. This can be seen on page 174 when Birkin tells Ursula what he is expecting from a relationship with her. “What I want is a strange conjunction with you –“he said quietly; “no- meeting and mingling; - you are quite right: - but an equilibrium, a pure balance of two single beings: - as the stars balance each other.” We can see that there is no balance of powers in the relationship between Gerald and Gudrun. Above all, Gerald has a strong will and wants to dominate his surroundings and the women. Gerald’s strong will can be seen on the pages 133/134. When he was riding a mare and had to wait on the crossing to let the approaching train pass. The mare was anxious because of the noise and began to wince away.
However, Gerald pulled her back and held her head to the gate.
The connecting chains were grinding and squeaking as the tension varied, the mare pawed and struck away mechanically now, her terror fulfilled in her, for now the man encompassed her; her paws were blind and pathetic as she beat the air, the man closed round her and brought her down, almost as if she were part of his own physique.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the literary context of Women in Love, mentions its censorship, and outlines the paper's goal to contrast Lawrence’s philosophy with Simone de Beauvoir’s feminist critique.
2. Definition of the word “Phallus”: This section defines the term "phallus" not merely in anatomical terms but as a literary symbol for male fertility, power, and cultural implications.
3. D. H. Lawrence’s “new philosophy of the relationship between men and women”: This chapter explores the protagonist Birkin’s view on individual integrity and the "star-like" balance between men and women.
3.1 The Completeness of each individual being: This section discusses Birkin’s desire for a relationship characterized by dualistic harmony rather than the merging of identities.
3.2 Balance of Powers: This chapter analyzes the power struggles within the relationships of the novel, contrasting Birkin’s ideals with Gerald’s dominance.
3.3 The individuals should cast off themselves: This section examines the concept of self-abandonment within the context of a relationship as presented in the novel.
4. Simone de Beauvoir’s critique of D. H. Lawrence’s “Phallic Pride”: This chapter shifts to the feminist perspective, arguing that Lawrence maintains traditional gender hierarchies.
4.1 Women are still dominated by men: This section illustrates how men hold systemic privileges and treat women as objects or "the other."
4.2 Women are still passive: This analysis focuses on the characterization of women as passive observers who wait for male action.
4.3 Women depend on men: This part highlights the lack of independence among female characters who rely on men for decision-making.
4.4 Women are emotional and men are rational: This section contrasts Lawrence’s portrayal of the "emotional" woman against the "rational" male protagonist.
4.5 Women should cast off themselves: This chapter concludes the critique by highlighting the expectation for women to subordinate their own visions to those of their male partners.
5. Conclusion: The final chapter summarizes that Lawrence’s philosophy reinforces patriarchal structures and fails to provide a truly egalitarian model for modern relationships.
Keywords
Women in Love, D. H. Lawrence, Simone de Beauvoir, Phallic Pride, Gender Roles, Patriarchy, Feminist Literature, Relationship Dynamics, Male Dominance, Passivity, Independence, The Second Sex, Power Struggle, Subject-Object Relation, Literary Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the gender dynamics in D. H. Lawrence’s Women in Love, critically examining his philosophy of male-female relationships through the lens of feminist theorist Simone de Beauvoir.
Which central themes are addressed in the text?
Key themes include the critique of male dominance (Phallic Pride), the passive portrayal of female characters, the struggle for independence, and the social construction of gender roles.
What is the primary research goal of the work?
The goal is to determine whether Lawrence’s work truly offers a "new philosophy" for relationships or if it simply reinforces traditional patriarchal imbalances, as Beauvoir contends.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The paper utilizes a comparative literary analysis, contrasting the primary text (Women in Love) with the critical theory found in Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex.
What content is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body breaks down specific aspects of gender dynamics—such as dominance, rationality vs. emotion, and dependence—using textual examples and excerpts from the novel.
How can the work be characterized by its keywords?
The work is defined by its critical engagement with feminist theory, gendered power dynamics, and the literary critique of D. H. Lawrence’s portrayal of human relationships.
How does the author illustrate Gerald’s dominance over women in the book?
The author uses the specific scene where Gerald forces a mare to submit as a metaphor for his desire to dominate women and his surroundings, illustrating an imbalance of power.
Why does the author argue that the relationship between Birkin and Hermione fails?
The author concludes that their relationship fails because both parties engage in a self-destructive power struggle, where Hermione refuses to be subordinated and Birkin rejects her intellectual dominance.
- Quote paper
- Kerstin Köck (Author), 2010, Simone de Beauvoir’s Critique of D. H. Lawrence’s "Phallic Pride" in "Women in Love", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/305760
