An Ecofeminist Interpretation Of D. H. Lawrence's Novels

D. H. Lawrence is one of the greatest English novelists in the early 20th century. In most of his works, he depicts the conflicts between man and nature, men and women in the industrial society which reflect the destructions of nature and human instinct. Sons and Lovers, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley's Lover are all regarded to be Lawrence's classics. In these three novels, he conveys his love towards nature and his hatred towards industrialization. He becomes an advocate of the construction of harmonious relationships between man and nature, and between men and women. His thoughts, as revealed in these novels, coincide with ecofeminism on eliminating domination-subordination relationships so as to establish an equal and sustainable society in the universe.These three novels reflect Lawrence's constant exploration of the relationships between man and nature, and between men and women, which is of characteristic ecofeminist consciousness. Through the descriptions of natural environment, the novels show that there is a deep connection between man and nature. They are revealing of the possibility of the harmonious coexistence between man and nature. Besides, Lawrence has made constant efforts to explore the mode for the ideal relationship between men and women. He rails against domination-subordination relationship between men and women and hails for the construction of the harmonious one.The thesis, trying to interpret the three novels from an ecofeminist perspective, aims to prove the unique contribution that Lawrence has made for the theory of ecofeminism. In Chapter One, it will elaborate on Lawrence's personal experiences and the factors that induce his ecofeminist consciousness in order to prove that Lawrence is a prophet in ecofeminism. With an ecofeminist perceptive, Chapter Two and Chapter Three will respectively interpret the three novels, Sons and Lovers, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley's Lover, from the aspects of man-nature relationship and man-woman relationship. Based on the interpretation of his ecofeminist consciousness in these novels, the contribution that Lawrence has made for ecofeminism will be demonstrated. The conclusion shows that all of these novels reflect great ecofeminist thoughts by which Lawrence advocates the balanced and healthy relationships between man and nature, and between men and women and therefore aims to construct harmonious universe.