sons and lovers

Sons and Lovers

Critically analyze Paul’s relationship with women pointing out why one or the other succeeds whereas another fails. Justify your answer.

The novel Sons and Lovers presents many portrayals of the various types of relationships that the women in Paul’s life undergo. Paul in particular is a character who exemplifies the diversity of relationships which have both succeeded and failed.

The first relationship which presented itself exists between Paul and Mrs. Morel, a succession due to mutual love and adoration. One may argue that this love is typical since it is a natural bond shared by a mother son relationship. However, this love is much stronger since Mrs. Morel due to her detrimental marriage with Mr. Morel turns to her children for love and solace. She is more drawn to Paul in particular because of his love for his undeserving, drunken father.  This relationship strengthens after the death of William in which Mrs. Morel entrusts her love in Paul, who returns her love.

The second relationship illustrated between Paul and Miriam is one of failure. Although there was an existing attraction between Miriam and Paul, the immediate disapproval of Mrs. Morel doomed the courtship before it even began. Mrs. Morel disapproved of Miriam as she perceived her as competition for her son’s affection. In addition to his mother’s feelings, Paul sometimes felt frustrated with Miriam which widened the gap even further. Moreover, as their relationship deteriorated to an on- again, off-again status, Paul encouraged an affair with Miriam’s married colleague, Clara. In the end his mother’s disappointment proved too much for the dearly loved son so he complied with his mother’s wishes and parted from Miriam.

In conclusion, Paul’s relationship with his mother bore succession because of their mutual love and care in which one showered the over. Nonetheless, Paul’s relationship with Miriam failed because of his mother’s approval and his infidelity