Sons and Lovers

How does Lawrence treat the theme of man - woman relationship through the characters Mariam Paul and Clara in sons and lovers

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Mrs. Morel, who believes she is morally superior to other, is disgusted by what mining has made of her husband, and she pushes her children away from that work. She finds jobs for both Paul and William so that they will lead better lives than their father. In response, the sons have difficulty making choices of their own. They are so driven to please their mother that they sacrifice their own pleasure and needs to satisfy hers. Neither can develop emotionally healthy relationships with women, and both struggle to balance their own wants with those of their mother. Another character who suppresses her will for the needs of another is Miriam Leivers, who sleeps with Paul to please him, even though she feels little sexual passion for him.

Paul's fixation on his mother becomes the basis for his problems with women, first with Miriam, then Clara. Clara's relationship with Paul, however, provides a temporary safe haven during which he doesn't have to confront his problem, as she has no wish for a permanent relationship and doesn't want to marry him. In the end, she returns to her husband Baxter.

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Sons and Lovers