A Study On The Balanced Female Images In D. H. Lawrence’s Novels

D. H. Lawrence was one of the most important British writers in the20th century and perhaps, the greatest from a working family. He is also a most disputable author in British literature. The major concern of his novels consists in the tracing of the psychological development of his characters and in his energetic criticism of the dehumanizing effect of the capitalist industrialization on human nature. He holds that human sexuality is the dominating "Life Force", and defiantly and frankly describes scenes of sex.He shapes a series of female images frequently discussed and commented by thousands of readers, critics and publishers. But actually his works, taken together, represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanizing effects of modernity and industrialization. For the purpose of a complete and in-depth understanding to these female images, this thesis tries to make a detailed study of them and related theories and resources are applied to serve for the analysis to their personalities and psyches.Firstly, the women in D. H. Lawrence’s novels fall into four different patterns, Oedipus complex, spiritual, carnal and natural female patterns. Then the archetypes of the female images with the corresponding reasons for characteristics formations are under a profound study, which covers the author’s background, social context and literature heritage. Another emphasis of the thesis is laid on the symbols of female images and the theoretical bases for the female image interpretations are also offered. The conclusion is drawn from the prior detailed explanations in the last chapter. The thesis’s explanation to Lawrence’s female images gives a definite reply to how the women successfully achieve balance in the industrialized society. Therefore, the study of the female images in D. H. Lawrence’s works can further enrich the achievements in this field. And the theory on the female images’change from slant to balance offers a brand-new approach to a broad view for academic studies.More specifically, D. H. Lawrence was one of the first writers who introduced themes of modern psychology into his novels. In his novels, there are altogether four kinds of female patterns; the first three patterns as mentioned above are the products of industrial civilization. The last one is the balanced one, which is called natural female pattern, and the natural pattern gives a solution to the social problem of human alienation. The thesis is divided into five chapters. Chapter One gives a brief introduction of D. H. Lawrence and the related novels Sons and Lovers, The Rainbow, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Women in Love. Chapter Two classifies the female images in D. H. Lawrence’s novels. Through the division, the writer digs out the themes of sexual regeneration and social conflicts between the vitality of nature and mechanized order of modern industrial society. Chapter Three discusses the cause of formation and archetypes of female images. Chapter Four researches the symbolism of female images which deepens and sublimes the themes. Chapter Five summarizes the whole thesis and sublimes the themes.