im, and was tied to him (Moynahan, p.5). Lawrences Gertrude does not open up a shop, as did Lydia Lawrence. This is the greatest example of Lydias ambition, and why Lawrence left it out of the novel is a mystery. Lawrences relationship with his parents is portrayed through his character Paul Morel. Both in the book and in real life he seemed to hate his father and idolize his mother. With the knowledge that this novel was written while Lawrence was mourning his mothers death, some people believe that it is in fact a tribute to his beloved mother. Lawrence himself, though, later felt remorse at the harsh depiction of his father in the novel. Walter Morel was an exaggeration of the bad side of Arthur Lawrence. Lawrences novel Sons and Lovers brings into question the type of relationship Lawrence had with his mother. Analysis of his real life reveals that, like Gertrude Morel, Lydia Lawrence was a very controlling woman. She kept her son very close to her at all times. She had strong influence in every aspect of his life, including his love life. Gertrude Morel used emotional blackmail to prevent her son from developing romantic attachments to other women, as she did with his relationship with Miriam D.H Lawrence himself spent most of whatever time he had free with his mother, and she did nothing to discourage this. In fact, it was not until after Lydia died that he got married. Many critics have suggested that Lawrences relationship with his mother was of an Oedipal nature (Moynahan, p. viii). There is also some evidence to support this theory in the novel. At one point, Paul is angered at the idea of his mother and father sleeping together (Moynahan, pp. 214-215). In another instance, the way in which Gertrude touched and kissed her son was questionable (Moynahan, p. 213). The way she acted was more like a girlfriend than a mother. Paul Morel, like D.H. Lawrence, escaped the mines through education. Both excell...
