Describe the Paul-Miriam relationship and put down the significance of this episode.
Sons and Lovers is a notable literary work by D. H. Lawrence. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Sons and Lovers.
Answer
Describe the Paul-Miriam relationship and put down the significance of this episode. [NU: 2015, 18, 20] ★★★
In “Sons and Lovers” (1913), D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) shows Paul’s troubled love life. His bond with Miriam Leivers is deep but painful. It is full of spirit but blocked by his mother’s hold. Their love fails, but its meaning is great.
Spiritual but Unfulfilled Love: Miriam Leivers is shy, religious, and dreamy. She loves books and ideas. Paul shares lessons and art with her. He feels close in mind. But he cannot give himself fully. His mother dislikes Miriam. Paul also feels guilty. So, the narrator says:
“He could not be free to go forward with his own life, really love another woman.”
This shows the tie to his mother blocks true love.
Paul’s Conflict of Spirit and Body: Paul wants passion and body. Miriam wants spirit and soul. Their desires clash. Miriam loves him in silence and prayer. Paul feels trapped. He grows angry. His mother’s jealousy makes it worse. Paul breaks with Miriam again and again. Their love remains half. It never finds peace.
Significance of the Episode: The Paul–Miriam bond shows the theme of Mother-Fixation. Paul cannot love Miriam because of Gertrude’s hold. It also shows the conflict between spiritual and physical love. Miriam gives spirit, but Paul wants more. Finally, this episode shows the tragedy of human love. Love fails when freedom and balance are lost.
The Paul–Miriam relationship is central in the novel. It shows Paul’s deep bond with his mother and his failed chance for true love. It also proves Freud’s Oedipus complex. The episode gives pain, depth, and tragic power to the story.