Summary of article (Critic 2)

Revitalizing the reader: Literary Technique and the Lamguage of Sacred Experience in D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover
By Burack, Charles M.

   This article is a criticism on one of D. H. Lawrence famous novels, 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'. The critic, Burack M., focus his criticism on the sexual content of the book which is the main reason for his critical argument. "The famous sex scenes in this novel have been celebrated for their beauty, verity, and liberating power. They have also been attacked as tedious, naive, sexist and obscene." While it has been noticed that the scenes represent the erotic initiation, there was failure of realizing that they are part of a narrative structure designed to imitate the reader. The aim of this initiation is to transform the consciousness of the reader.
  In contrast, sometimes it is forgotten that Lawrence was a fundamentally religious artist. That is, his sensibilities and artistic aims were profoundly shaped by his ongoing experience of the divine. As a well known novelist, Lawrence turned to religions of the world not only for symbols, myths, and rites  to use in his work, but also the purpose of ritual forms to structure his narratives and guide his technical innovations. Reason being his ultimate goal was to produce a spiritual transformation in his readers by evoking " new, really new feelings," especially the numinous " feeling of being beyond life and death," he became intrigue with the structure and function of religious initiation rites.
   An investigation carried out but Burack, Charles M shows that two phases determine the choice and arrangement of techniques and diction in 'Lady Chatterley's". These two faces are destruction phase and sacralization phase. Lawrence attempts to vitalize, expand and unify the reader's consciousness and  thereby engendered a sacred experience (sexual activities portrayed in the novel). The stage of disintegration dominates the first half of the novel. Whereas, the vitalization stage controls the second  half of the novel. Each stage is characterized by an array of structures, techniques and discourses. The overal argument of Burack is that as a religious man (artiste, novelist and poet), he using religion to aid in his writing and his literary pieces of art. However, he speaks about setting which is rarely discussed in a religious society and that is sex. This novel in particular speakers about the experience of sex thought explicit and vivid content.

Summary of Articles (Critic1)

Anti-Humanism
Critic: Terry Eagleton

D. H. Lawrence and 'Difference': Post-Coloniality and the Poetry of the Present by Amit Chaudhuri
Oxford, 229 pp, June 2003

   Due to limited access to the entire article there will only be a summary on the five paragraphs that were accessible. Basically, this article speaks about theorists VS poets and novelists. In other words, theory VS poetry. Terry Eagleton is a literary theorist who was one of Lawrence's critics. Whereas, D. H. Lawrence was a poet and novelist who wrote many volumes of poem and several novels which are all a part of his literary works of art. In reference to this article. Eagleton argues " one of the most tenacious of all academic myths is that literary theorists do not go in for close reading. Whereas, non-theoretical critics are faithful to the words on the page...". He goes on to say that in fact, almost all of the best known literary theorists engage in close reading. Eagleton gave examples of such theorists but was too much to mention.
   Therefore, it was suggested that there is one serious flaw in the universally acclaimed doctrine of close reading. Meaning, the world/ universe has believed in a false concept of close reading. However, Eagleton does agree that many good literary theorists read as though their work was composed by a computer as well as on a computer (typed written). He quoted " just as some doctors are always sick, as some critics cannot write." So Terry Eagleton was saying some critics do not posses the ability to criticize or give constructive criticism on literary works of poets and novelists. However, it is too rarely pointed out of the most distinguished names in the field are remarkably fine stylists, more so than the majority of non-theoretical critics. These fine stylists include Barthes, Adorno, Foucault, Jameson and Geoffrey Hartman.
   On the whole, according to Eagleton,writers to not take kindly to theorists, rather as shamans do not always favour anthropologists. Here is where Eagleton argument firmly stands out. Many poets  and novelists, such as D. H. Lawrence, are natural-born romantics about their own arts, if sometimes about anything else. Even the grittiest realists can in turn be a closet transcendalist when it comes down to his/her own psyche; and writers like that are affronted by the claim that the means and modes in which they are inspired can be rationally and thoroughly analysed. The theorist gave reference to a well known bible story, 'Samson and Delilah". In that, they feel the same way the bible couple wild have felt about a Freudian account of their relationship. Nevertheless, Terry agrees that it is possible that love can definitely be rationally investigated ( it could be understood), even if you cannot find a reason why.  But unless you can give some coherent accountability of what you love about someone, then it's difficult to see how you can describe what you are feeling as love. Sometimes the mind may deceive the heart or vice verse, in believing that you love someone or you are in love. In relation to the novel, " Sons and Lovers", we can clearly see romance as well as other types of love being portrayed and displayed throughout the book.
   Additionally, theorists are sad, tight-arsed, Apolian. On the other hand, writers are red-blooded, touchy-feely, Dionysian. There is a definite contrast between the two. Terry Eagleton believes that writers are softer and more emotional than theorists. He gave a simple scenario; a male theorist in a roomful of male poets usually made to feel, spirally speaking, that he is decked out in tights and tutu ( like a dancer or ballerina). Furthermore, like a liberal among radical (types of feminists) or a moral philosopher in a brothel, he finds that his manhood will be questioned or perhaps hit sexuality as a whole. Differently, there are some feminists who regard theory itself as 'male'.
   Overall, Terry Eagleton's main reason for criticism on D. H. Lawrence literary work, as a poet and bnovelist, is that he is too soft and emotional, more or less feminine, and that he should be more tough and masculine just like theorists. Unlike the theorists who are objective, the criticism is that poets and novelist are subjective in their work

A brief synopsis of D. H. Lawrence

   David Herbert Lawrence was born on September 11, 1885 in a small mining town of Eastwood, Notthingham, England, UK. He was of British nationality. He was born to Authur John Lawrence and  Lydia Lawrence. His father was a coal-miner. While, his mother worked in the lace-making industry. She came from a middle class family.
   In 1897, at the age of 12 years old, he became the first boy in Eastwood's history to be awarded a scholarship to Nottingham High School, where he graduated in 1901. He is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. D.H Lawrence first novel was The White Peacock. He published a series of novels and poetry volumes during his lifetime, including Sons and Lovers, and Women In Love. However, he is best known for his infamous novel Lady Chatterley's Lover. The graphic and highly sexual novel was published in Italy in 1928, but was banned in the United States until 1959, and banned in England until 1960. He was married to Frieda Lawrence (1914-1930). D. H. Lawrence died on March 2,1930 in Vence, France at the age of 44 years old. His cause of death was Tuberculosis.

Summary on chapters 1-3 of Sons And Lovers

Chapter 1: the early married life of the Morels

  The first chapter opened with a quote "The Bottoms succeeded to Hell Row". This seem to be iron as hell is located bellow or is commonly known as the bottomless pit. Hell Row was a block of thatched cottages that stood by the brookside on Greenhill lane. The cottages where the coal- miners , in block and pairs, here and there, along with odd farms and homes of the stockingers, straying over the parish, formed the village of Bestwood. To accommodate the regiments of miners, three men built  the squares, great quadrangles of dwellings on the hillside of Bestwood, and then, in the brook valley, on the side of Hell Row, was the Bottoms where the Morels resided wort their two children. The couple was Mrs. Gertrude and Mr. Walter Morel. They had two children, a boy and a girl. The first born, seven years old William and second child is five years old Annie. There was another child on the way as thirty one year old wife was pregnant with their third child. Her husband was a miner, who she met at a dance nine years ago during the Christmas season. It was there he gave her the false impression of being rich, but she soon realised that he was actually an average guy just few months after they got married. In fact, he was not wealthy at all or even close to who he was thought to be. He lived in his mother's house were he actually pays rent and he has been a miner she the age of ten years old. Mrs Morel came from a higher class as she was fair skin with blue eyes like her father; who was a large, handsome engineer. However, her grandfather went bankrupt in the lace market business. Mrs Morel was not very fond of moving to the Bottoms because the living conditions did not meet her expectations. Nevertheless, it was the best she could have done as she had a family to take care of, a unborn baby and she needed a place to settle. Although Mrs Morel came from a good family background, she quickly grew solely dependent on her husband. However, her love for him was slowly fading as she found out he lied about who he really was and he had nothing to offer her, and to add to that, he mistreated and abused her, not caring of the fact she is pregnant and carrying his child. One night they got into a heated confrontation when he came home drunk and he threw her out of the house, but only for the night. She was left in the cold, dark garden outside where she thought about what her husband just did. Nevertheless, she still stays for the sake of the children, William and  Annie. They have only been married for eight years and now was having and unwanted child for the man she no longer loved. 

Chapter 2: the birth of Paul, and another battle 

  After such a cruel and heartless act that a husband could have done to his pregnant wife, Mr Walter Morel now felt guilty and ashamed of himself, but soon went back to his old, abusive ways. However, there was a small difference in his assurance, body, pride, and moral strength. We can say there was a shift in overal attitude as they decreased slowly, yet the difference was noticeable. We can see that his attitude changed as his sympathy grew and he seemed to be becoming a better man and husband as the time drew nearer for his wife to give birth at any point in time. At the same time, she despise him greatly and her hatred for her husband gradually built up as her love faded more each day  that passes. While Mr Morel had already left the house and was working, Mrs. Morel went into labor and she called for Mrs Kirk by putting the poker in the fire and banged at the back of the fireplace, as the fires were back to back, and would make a great noise in the adjoining house. Mrs Morel requested Mrs Bowers while Mrs Kirk took care of the children and fixed dinner for when Mr Morel came home from a long day of working in the mine. While Mr Morel was at work, Mrs Morel gave birth to a baby boy, who she named Paul. The baby had blue eyes and a lot of fair hair just like his mother. Initially, she did not want the child as it would tie her more to the husband if she were to have another child for him. Despite the unwanted pregnancy, when Paul was born, she had a great love for him. That day, rain was falling as Mrs Morel lay in bed and listened to the raindrops. At this time, Mr Walter Morel came home from work, weary and angry as he undressed as usual, taking off his coat, cap, dirtjy scarf and heavy boots. After he ate dinner, he went upstairs to be welcomed by his wife and new born son. He was somewhat speechless due to the fact he was tired. Even though their love for each other and their marriage has not been on the up side for a while, we can see that there was still some love between the both of them. We can see this as he wanted to give her a kiss when she was laying in bed, holding the baby and she to was secretly hoping that he would have kissed her before he left the room, but he withheld his kiss and left. So Gertrude still long for affection from her husband, despite the negative feelings she has towards him. However, things quickly changed as one night he hit her with a drawer out pf rage as an act of reflex. Thr following day, when Mrs Morel wanted to pay the greengrocer, she searched in her purse for her sixpence, but soon realise it was missing from her purse, but this was not the first time that this is happening to her. In fact, it was the third time that Mr More has stolen money from his own wife. When he came home and she asked him about it, he denied and it was then she accused him of stealing her money. During the argument from the night before, Mr Morel threw the drawer at his wife and it caught her by her eye brow, where it immediately started to bled. Here is where we really see physical abuse. Like the first argument in chapter 1, afterwards when Mr Morel came back to his senses, he realise what he did and once again felt guilty as his heart filled with shame and concern. In contrast to chapter 1, Mr Morel was the one who left the house this time around. Mr Morel packed his bundle of clothes and left the house, but he returned at night just like what Mrs Morel expected as he had no where else to go. The only similarity is that both only spent couple hours out of the house. The difference is, Mr Morel left willingly , on his own. Whereas, Mrs Morel was thrown out of the house against her own will. This was all due to him being an alcoholic and always coming home drunk and would still drink beer when he came home from work. This habit contributed to his abusive behavior and how he treats his wife. 

Chapter 3: the casting off of Morel- the taking on of William 

  In the beginning of this chapter, Morel's level of anger increased and his temper became unbearable, but he became very ill and Mrs Morel had to take camera of him while he was sick and nurse him back to good health. She did this act out of sympathy and pity for him, but to some extent it seemed to be out of love she had for him. Now that she had her third child, Paul, her love for her husband died and and she now felt love for her new born son. Her time and attention was spent on Paul as they had a bond between mother and son from since the day of his birth. During Mr Morel's recuperation, they tried to rekindle the flame of love between them and bring back the old relationship they once had years ago, but the efforts failed and it was really over between Mrs. Morel and her husband. Mrs Morel joined a women group (club) in the village and this was her way of getting out of the house, but the children could have seen that she was happyj and so they did not mind if she was out with the local women, socializing at metro da during the evening/ night . Meanwhile, William grew up to be a young man, well in his late teenage years. Unlike his father, he refused to follow in his dad's footsteps  and became a coal miner, an alcoholic and an abusivr man. Instead he got a job as a shorthand clerk and book keeper and he also went to night school to learn more about shorthand. William was just the opposite of his father, Mr Morel. William was a very smart young man who studied hard to get a scholarship at high school in Notthingham. Then, he went off to England and started a new life as an grown, independent man.