Chapters 1-4 Summary

In Chapter 1, Gudrun Brangwen is back from her travels, visiting her sister Ursula at their parents' home in Beldover. They are talking about marriage, and neither one of them can imagine marrying. Ursula has even turned down some good proposals—but they can't imagine being bound to anyone for good.

The two women go to see a wedding of one of the younger Crich girls, and they have an aversion to the commoners who gather for the spectacle. At the church, the Criches all arrive, with Rupert Birkin, and Hermione. Gudrun is moved by the sight of Gerald, and Ursula is moved by Birkin, although it seems like a tragedy to her that he should be so stuck with Hermione. They have a perverse relationship, and are always fighting each other off.

When the bride arrives, the groom has not...