Freudian Psychoanalysis of Paul Morel (Sons and Lovers)

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FREUDIAN PSYCHOANALYSIS OF PAUL MOREL Name: Mikhail McIntosh School: Cornwall College Candidate#: Centre#:100023 Territory: Montego Bay, Jamaica Sons and Lovers by David Herbert Lawrence is a compendium of Sigmund Freud’s well known psychoanalytic theory, the Oedipus complex. The novel follows the self-praised protagonist Paul Morel, giving insight to the functioning of his psyche as he develops his emerging sexuality. D.H. Lawrence exploits Freud’s theory of psychological prowess to illustrate the influence it has on the characters and the impact it has on their relationships. Furthermore, the defective relationships present in Sons and Lovers are classified as the most debated and evaluated literary work. The confining relationship of Paul Morel and his mother (Gertrude Morel) stifles his other relations. It is evident that Gertrude Morel replaces sentiments for her sons as a result of her debilitating connection with her husband and the end result being total monopolizing of Paul Morel. What began as an ordinary mother to son attachment evolves to become shaded with incestuous sentiments that assume the role of the dominant controlling element of Paul’s livelihood. Freudian psychoanalysis plays a major role in the manipulation and development of the novel’s plot as it is employed by D.H. Lawrence to portray the dominance the Oedipus complex has on the character Paul Morel and his correlations with the other characters. Lawrence utilizes it to bring about the erotic and incestuous clime of the novel giving insight on the emerging sexuality of the protagonist Paul Morel and how his actions affect all those in his life. Sons and Lovers is depicted as one of the greatest English novels of the post modern romantic era. The novel revolves around an English family where the sole breadwinner is a miner and drunkard. The novel
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