An Ecofeminist Interpretation Of Lawrence’ Sons And Lovers

Sons and Lovers is David Herbert Lawrence’s first masterpiece. This is a semi-autobiographical novel, which truly reflects the life of Laurence. In the last years, researchers at home and abroad mainly analyze this novel from the perspectives of the Oedipus Complex and feminism. This thesis tries to analyze this novel from the perspective of ecofeminism, aiming at explaining that men, women and nature should live in harmony.Ecofeminists claim that nature and women are in the "other" position and being oppressed and that the root of all oppression is patriarchy:Therefore, to solve ecological crisis and eradicate various social inequalities and oppression, they argue to combine feminist movement with ecological movement to challenge the patriarchy.This thesis is divided into five parts:chapter one introduces briefly Laurence and his novel---Sons and Lovers, and offers a general review of scholarship on this novel at home and abroad. Critics have studied the novel from many perspectives. Based on their studies, this thesis attempts to deepen the understanding of the novel further by reading it from the new perspective of ecofeminism.Chapter two is an analysis of men’s domination over nature and women. Owing to the exploration and development of mankind, human living environment and working environment are damaged heavily. At the same time, the three female characters in the novel are suffering from the oppression of men. Patriarchy value is the root of men’s domination over nature and woman.Chapter three is an analysis of nature and women’s revolts against men. The three male characters’health is threatened by environment. Mr. Morel has several accidents in the mines; William works hard and dies unexpectedly; Paul works in the dark and gloomy places for almost all day, which makes Paul ill. Mrs. Morel, Miriam and Clara in the novel use their own ways to struggle against the oppression and search for self-identity.Chapter four is an analysis of the ideal relationship from the ecofeminist perspective. There is a harmonious relationship between nature and women in this novel. This chapter clarifies emphatically the ideal relationship between men and nature, men and women. Laurence witnessed the destruction of nature and the conflicts between men and women. He loves nature, cares women and hopes for the harmonious relationships among men, women and nature.The last part is the conclusion. By studying Sons and Lovers from the perspective of ecofeminism, this thesis tries to explain that men, women and nature should live in harmony.