D.H. Lawrence
Biography of D.H. Lawrence
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: David Herbert Lawrence
Common Aliases: D.H. Lawrence
Birth and Death Dates
Born: September 11, 1885
Died: March 2, 1930
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: British
Profession(s): Novelist, Poet, Essayist, Playwright, Literary Critic
Early Life and Background
David Herbert Lawrence was born in the small mining town of Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England. He was the fourth child of Arthur John Lawrence, a coal miner, and Lydia Beardsall, a former schoolteacher. The contrasting backgrounds of his parents—his father's working-class roots and his mother's aspirations for cultural refinement—profoundly influenced Lawrence's worldview and literary voice. His early life was marked by financial struggles and familial tensions, which were exacerbated by his father's drinking habits and his mother's domineering nature.
Lawrence's academic prowess was evident from a young age, earning him a scholarship to Nottingham High School. Despite the financial constraints, his mother was determined to provide him with a good education, which laid the foundation for his literary career. After completing his studies, Lawrence briefly worked as a clerk and later as a pupil-teacher, before attending University College Nottingham to earn a teaching certificate.
Major Accomplishments
D.H. Lawrence emerged as a significant literary figure in the early 20th century, known for his innovative narrative style and exploration of human psychology. His major accomplishments include a prolific output of novels, short stories, poems, essays, and plays that challenged the conventions of his time. Lawrence's work often delved into themes of industrialization, sexuality, and the human condition, which were considered controversial and provocative.
One of his most significant accomplishments was his ability to capture the complexities of human relationships and emotions, often drawing from his own life experiences. His novel "Sons and Lovers," published in 1913, is a semi-autobiographical account that reflects his own family dynamics and personal struggles. This work is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modernist literature.
Notable Works or Actions
D.H. Lawrence's literary career is marked by several notable works that have left an indelible mark on English literature. Among his most famous novels are "The Rainbow" (1915) and "Women in Love" (1920), both of which explore the intricacies of human relationships and the quest for personal fulfillment. However, it was "Lady Chatterley's Lover" (1928) that became his most controversial work, due to its explicit depiction of sexual relationships and critique of class distinctions. The novel faced censorship and legal battles, but it ultimately contributed to the liberalization of publishing laws in the UK.
In addition to his novels, Lawrence was a prolific poet and essayist. His poetry collections, such as "Birds, Beasts and Flowers" (1923), showcase his deep appreciation for nature and his ability to convey profound emotions through vivid imagery. His essays, including "Studies in Classic American Literature" (1923), reveal his critical insights into literature and society.
Impact and Legacy
D.H. Lawrence's impact on literature and culture is profound and enduring. His exploration of themes such as sexuality, industrialization, and the individual's struggle for authenticity challenged societal norms and expanded the boundaries of literary expression. Lawrence's work paved the way for future generations of writers to explore taboo subjects with greater freedom and honesty.
Despite facing criticism and censorship during his lifetime, Lawrence's legacy has grown over the years. He is now celebrated as a pioneer of modernist literature, whose works continue to be studied and appreciated for their psychological depth and lyrical prose. His influence extends beyond literature, impacting fields such as psychology, sociology, and cultural studies.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
D.H. Lawrence is widely quoted and remembered for his fearless exploration of human emotions and relationships. His ability to articulate the complexities of love, desire, and identity resonates with readers across generations. Lawrence's quotes often capture the essence of his philosophical musings on life and the human experience, making them timeless and universally relevant.
His works are remembered not only for their literary merit but also for their role in challenging societal conventions and advocating for personal freedom and authenticity. Lawrence's legacy as a bold and visionary writer ensures that his voice continues to inspire and provoke thought, making him a lasting figure in the world of literature and beyond.
Quotes by D.H. Lawrence
D.H. Lawrence's insights on:
My whole working philosophy is that the only stable happiness for mankind is that it shall live married in blessed union to woman kind—intimacy, physical and psychical, between a man and his wife. I wish to add that my state of bliss is by no means perfect.
Men have been depressed now for many years in their male and resplendent selves, depressed into dejection and almost abjection. Is that not evil?
There is nothing to save, now all is lost, but a tiny core of stillness in the heart like the eye of a violet.
Life and love are life and love, a bunch of violets is a bunch of violets, and to drag in the idea of a point is to ruin everything. Live and let live, love and let love, flower and fade, and follow the natural curve, which flows on, pointless.
There's always the hyena of morality at the garden gate, and the real wolf at the end of the street.
The true unconscious is the well-head, the fountain of real motivity. The sex of which Adam and Eve became conscious derived from the very God who bade them be not conscious of it.
I want us to be together without bothering about ourselves- to be really together because we ARE together, as if it were a phenomenon, not a thing we have to maintain by our own effort.