D.H.Lawrence

<p><strong>D.H. LAWRENCE: SYMBOLIC LANDSCAPES</strong></p><p></p><p>This book analyzes the rich discourses of mythology symbolism form eroticism and landscape in D.H.Lawrence's fiction. Jane Foster traces Lawrence's symbols (tigers suns fish peacocks) in many of the short stories as well as the major novels. 'Spirit of place' was always important for Lawrence and Foster's study investigates how Lawrence's concept of place informed his fiction poetry and travel books.</p><p>EXTRACT</p><p>Lawrence uses many traditional poetic symbols - flowers fire the Moon - but there are some symbols that he has made very much his own: blood rivers the phallus rainbow and the Lawrencean bestiary: horse phoenix peacock dragon snake lion tiger rabbit and fish. The Lawrencean animals are the most alive of living symbols. There are many symbolic beasts in the poems too: fish tortoises snakes eagles elephants mosquitoes goats etc.</p><p>•••••</p><p>D.H. Lawrence probably uses more flowers in his art than any other comparable writer. The poems are full of flowers - irises violets roses campions - all kinds of flowers hundreds of flowers blossoms and plants. He fills his books with flowers rather like the Early Netherlandish painters filled their paintings of the Madonna with heaps of flowers.</p><p>Lawrence uses flower symbolism to underpin the action and the emotional states of his characters. Ursula for instance delights as Connie Chatterley does in flowers. They remind her of the beauty of the world when the pain of love becomes too much. In Women in Love Ursula is transported to use the old term by some daisies floating in water:</p><p>She went along the bank towards the sluice. The daisies were scattered broadcast on the pond tiny radiant things like an exaltation points of exaltation here and there. Why did they move so strongly and mystically? Look he said your boat of purple paper is escorting them and they are a convoy of rafts.</p><p>Some of the daisies came slowly towards her hesitating making a shy bright little cotillion on the dark clear water. Their gay bright candour moved her so much as they came near that she was almost in tears. Why are they so lovely? she cried. Why do I think them so lovely?</p><p>With illustrations bibliography and notes.</p>