Abjection and Melancholy: Ambivalence in D. H. Lawrence’s Women in Love

• Main Authors: Ya-fang Lin, 林雅芳
• Other Authors: Chung-yi Chu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/73175519255070608944

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 外國語文學系所 === 97 === Abstract In her theory “abjection,” Julia Kristeva considers women and mothers as the abject toward which the subject arouses love/hatred ambivalence. Freud’s “incest taboo” explains that children are forbidden from sexual contacts with mothers which are replaced by lovers later. Lovers are delineated as mother-like figures in context of Women in Love and ambivalence is found. Besides, Lawrence’s personal experiences and philosophy echo with contents in the novel. Lawrence develops love-hatred ambivalence toward Frieda as he does to Mrs. Lawrence. In the novel, Gerald represents Lawrence and he has similar emotion for Gudrun. But this ambivalence leads Gerald and Gudrun to inter-destructiveness. In addition to mother-son relationship, the role of the father indicates that he can help the subject enter the symbolic order smoothly. From abhorrence to atonement, Lawrence reflects this change of attitude in Gerald-Mr. Crich relationship. Also, Lawrence’s frequent fights with Frieda contradict his sensual fulfillment in love. Unbalanced love is perceived from Birkin’s lack of sensual satiation with Hermione but Gerald’s body arouses his interest and satisfies temporary sensual desire by means of wrestling, a symbolic intercourse. For Birkin-Ursula relationship, Ursula enacts the role of a spiritual mentor providing opinions and criticism. This thesis aims at discussion of ambivalence the subject cultivates toward the abject/mother and mother-like lovers. Also, because of separation from the love object, the melancholy subject intends to conduct matricide and suicide. Apparently, Gerald is trapped in a past full of traumas: the accidental murder of his younger brother, Diana’s and Mr. Crich’s death and Gudrun’s leaving. Nevertheless, Gerald does not choose rejuvenation by building a relationship with Birkin. Furthermore, this thesis offers Lawrence’s perspective toward women, the abject. He stresses female independence with the example of Ursula who trusts her own female instinct more than Gudrun does.