RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE

who she is and what she wants.
The problem with her is that
although she knows
Paul and his influence over her she has let
this knowledge destroy her relation with Paul.
that in her submission to him she dominates him.
Also she feels
The point is
perhaps that neither she nor Paul wants really a balanced
relation. Both want to have power in the relation.
These
conflicting impulses annul mutual love.
Both man and woman are
stubborn in their misconception.
And here is the very reason for
their failure.
"After leaving Miriam [Paul] went straight to Clara"(p.368).
This is enough to think that Paul in fact does not really care to
resolve his conflicts.
Now all he wants is sex and sex is with
Clara, a woman whom he does not need to have to share his mind.
There is always a sense of the forbidden in their affair.
The scenery is always described as if dirty, muddy as if implying
sin all the time.
This may be seen as a heavy indication that
things are not all right. Clara is still married. Since the
author presents the description of the affair and scenery in such
a way, he is again anticipating to the readers that this liaison
is from its beginning doomed to a dead end, and when both Clara
and Paul reach.that point, they will see that there is no way
back to a successful union between them.
This is actually what
happens to the couple. While there is novelty Paul remains
inflamed with passion, but as soon as he gets tired of Clara he
grows irritated and ready to break with her.
Furthermore, every
time they crave for love making there are ots of obstacles
forbidding consummation:
'Let us try going forward,' he said, and they
struggled in the red clay along the groove a
man's nailed boot had made. They were hot and
flushed. Their barkled shoes hung heavy on their