The Rainbow | Themes & Symbolism

The Rainbow Significant Topics

Relationships Between Men and Women

The relationships between men and women are at the forefront of The Rainbow. There is a fundamental lack of understanding between men and women. This lack of understanding is often complicated by intense sexual relationships. The men and women in the novel have a difficult time forming partnerships with each other or sharing their thoughts and feelings. Often one or both of them seeks a deeper relationship but is unable to find it.

Tom and Lydia Brangwen come from different cultures and have a difficult time uniting as a married couple. Lydia tries to explain about her childhood in Poland but Tom cannot understand any of it. Tom and Lydia's marriage is generally conducted in silence. At the same time, however, they have a very satisfying sexual relationship. They accept that this is the closest that they will come to understanding each other. At the end of their lives, however,...
(read more)