RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE

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like nothing; she is like Gerald.
They are both parts of a
mechanical structure, like cutting scissors.
Although they have broken off their affair, Gerald and
Gudrun decide to depart from the Alps together for the sake of
keeping appearances. (An ironical decision because Gudrun has
already told Loerke and others that she was not married at all -
to Gerald.)
The day before the departure Gudrun goes for a tobogganing
ride with Loerke.
Their strange attachment is at its apex.
Gudrun has already decided to go to Dresden following Loerke. On
their last morning in the Alps, they go near the cul-de-sac
where Gerald is to die.
Gudrun feels released because she has
nothing more to do with Gerald and also because she has found a
partner who is like her (or worse than her).
Surrounded by the
mountains of ice and snow, they talk and have fun till Gerald
suddenly appears, frightening them.
There is a tense atmosphere
between the three.
Gerald, feeling mad anger, hits Loerke.
Gudrun moves forward, in self-defense and at the same time
trying to defend Loerke, and "She raised her chenched hand high,
and brought it down, with a great downward stroke on to the face
and on to the breast of Gerald" (p.463).
With this blow she
makes her prophecy of the 'last blow' delivered during the Water
Party become true.
Gerald who did not contradict her at that
time, tries to fight back and strangle her.
But he gives in. He
is already defeated.
Like an automaton he leaves Loerke and
Gudrun and lets unconsciousness gradually take hold of him: "A
weakness run over his body... A fearful weakness possessed him,
his joints were turned to water.
He drifted, as on a wind,
veered and went drifting away..." (p.464).
Thus, Gerald starts
his peregrination towards death.
At first he wants to sleep.