Rachelle Moon AP Literature

The Father, the Outcast In the novel, Sons and Lovers, D.H. Lawrence highlights the ill-defined relationship between Mrs.Morel and her three sonsexemplifying the so-called Oedipus Complex, induced by hateful behavior of their father, Walter Morel. Lawrence seems to characterize Walter Morel as the antagonist, disrupting familial peace. Yet, a more in-depth examination of this patriarch demonstrates that his violent character is merely a mask to conceal the forlorn coward he truly is. Walter Morel, once a man so full of color and animation, transforms into an abusive alcoholic to face the distressing reality of his household (Lawrence 13). In contrast to his literate, wealthy wife, Morel is a miner, who never had a good stallfor thirty years of his life. (Lawrence 22) Despite his wifes admiration for his occupation, as he risked his life daily and with gaiety, Morel is continuously disturbed by their social differences, and thus, he pretends to own the house and furniture, which in fact are, embarrassingly, his mothers property bought on loan (Lawrence 16-17). But his plan to appear financially better-off backfires, and instead, Morel loses his wifes trustas well as her reverence. She [cares] very little for what he [does], and this negligence punctures Morels pride (Lawrence 20). Yet, Morel, afraid to confront his wife for his own mistakes, turns towards alcohol for distraction. But this cowardly behavior is further emphasized by Morels violent behavior not out of mere devilish sentiments, but out of the urge to regain authority as the patriarch. Mrs.Morel continues to ignore her husband, while Morel seemingly continues to desire his wifes respect. To arouse a sense of fear, Morel begins to bully his children, hitting William, his first child, as a baby (Lawrence 20). But instead of being afraid and thus compliant, Mrs.Morel, a stout and confident individual, insults him, as she notes Id wait on a dog at the door instead of her husband (Lawrence 56). Her endless debasement exacerbates Morels abusive attitude towards the family, further distancing himself from his wife and children. Ultimately, all four of his children turn out to hate their father, needless to say, loathing him so much that the boys grow to love their mother too muchthe very example of Oedipus Complex. However, behind the violence and alcohol that define the external aspects of Walter Morel, he actually yearns to become a responsible father and a loving husband. Despite being shut out from all family affairs, and being aware of the unwelcome, he wants the children to talk to him (Lawrence 97). His vile attitude towards his family ultimately isolates himself from everyone else, but internally, he does not want to be separated. When William dies, he [goes] into a kind of daze, staring wide-eyed and blank across the room, demonstrating a subtle sense of sorrow and his unspoken paternal emotions for his son (Lawrence 201). Morel is unable to express his true feelings, reasoning that it was gone too far to alter his relationship with the familyagain, cowardly hiding behind alcohol, violence, and now, silence. Walter Morel, a lonesome father, obscures his true character behind the persona of an abusive miner. He needed love, but his family neglected and hated him because his method of love was wrong. But who can we blame: his independent wife, his mother-loving sons, his financial circumstances? Or is it possible, that all fathers are born to take on lonesome characters, to be outcasts of the family?

Works Cited Lawrence, D. H.. Sons and lovers. London: Penguin, 2012. Print.