An Eco-critical Interpretation On Lawrence's Four Novels

D. H. Lawrence is one of the most influential writers in English literature in 20th century. In his short life, Lawrence has produced close to 50 volumes of novels, long and short stories, plays, poems, essays and travel journals. But he is most famous for his novels. In the novels Lawrence exposes not only the ecological crisis of nature but also the crisis of men's spiritual ecology, which is much more severe and leads to the crisis of natural ecology. In his novels, Lawrence also offers his way to heal the crisis as well. He appeals that man should join nature and keep a harmonious relation with nature. Such kind of harmonious relationship between man and nature is what Lawrence and his contemporaries are seeking for. Only in such kind of harmonious condition can human beings live happily and develop in a right way. Based on a close reading of the novels, and by using the theory of ecocriticism, this thesis aims to study Lawrence's novels from the perspective of ecocriticism. In the thesis, the crisis of natural ecology is analyzed, and also the crisis of spiritual ecology and social ecology. At the same time, Lawrence's solution to heal the crisis is also analyzed.This thesis contains four chapters with one introduction and a conclusion. In the introduction part Lawrence's biography and four of his novels are briefly introduced. In addition, the general introduction of ecocriticism is also introduced in this part. The introduction part also scans the previous studies of Lawrence's novels at home and abroad and presents the central argument of this thesis.Chapter One analyzes Lawrence's natural ecology view embodied in the novels. He gives a magnificent description of the natural world and thinks deeply of the relationship between man and nature, which reveals his deep love and unique understanding of nature. In Lawrence's opinion, man is the child of nature and cannot be isolated from nature.Chapters Two and Three explore Lawrence's concern for Social Ecology and Spiritual Ecology embodied in the novels. In his works, the destruction brought about by the Industrial Revolution comes easily into view. Industrial civilization not only destroys beautiful nature, but also ruins humanity and causes painful split of spirit and flesh. People can not achieve self-fulfillment and consequently lose themselves in life.Chapter Four analyzes Lawrence's solution to heal the crisis. Lawrence appeals that man should keep a close and harmonious relationship with nature, which is the top concern of ecocriticism. Human beings should regard nature as a good friend because only in nature their crisis can be solved.The conclusion part reviews the eco-critical study of Lawrence's novels. Also in this part, the significance and value of my study are reinforced.