SYMBOLISM IN MODERNIST TEXT

Modernism in English Literature was a literary movement in the late 19th and 20th centuries that was
characterized by experimentation , abstraction and a break from traditional writing styles. Modernist
writers experimented with literary form and expression including non-linear narratives, free-flowing ,
interior monologue and collage techniques it was a conscious break from traditional ways of writing and
the concept of absolute originality and it was a respond to the technological advances. Additionally, it
was a response to the societal changes of the time, including the impact of the First World War.

Modernist writing often explored themes of alienation, disillusionment and pessimism. Some notable
modernist writers include Franz Kafka, D.H Lawrence , Virginia Woolf, T.S Elliot and Ernest Hemingway.

Symbolism is a key characteristic of modernist literature, which is a literary movement that began in the
late 19th century and continued into the middle 20th century. Authors use symbolism to create additional
meaning and help readers to understand their work. Here are some ways of symbolism is used in
modernist literature.

1) Tying things together: Authors use symbolism to connect seemingly unimportant things to more
universal themes.

2) Expressing Ideas : Symbolism can be used to express the thoughts and feelings of the other. For
Example one painting , a fox by the girl’s throat may symbolize the power of the industrial revolution and
how it was overpowered the urban values of Breton culture.

3) Creating meaning : Symbolism can be use to imbue objects with different meaning than their original
function. For Example in the “New Dress” by Virginia Woolf , ("The New Dress" is a short story by
Virginia Woolf, first published in 1927. It explores themes of insecurity, self-consciousness, and social
alienation through the protagonist's internal monologue), the story symbolize the modern man’s
inadequancy and senses of inferiority to society.

Introduction

D.H. Lawrence was a prominent modernist novelist known for his exploration of human emotions,
relationships, and the conflicts between individual desires and societal norms. His works, such as Sons
and Lovers and Women in Love, broke from traditional literary forms, using experimental techniques to
delve into the psychological and emotional depths of his characters. Lawrence’s focus on themes like
sexual liberation, industrialization, and the tensions of modern life made him a key figure in the early
20th-century modernist movement.

D. H. Lawrence has made a very clever use of symbols in Sons and Lovers. Symbolism means the use of
an incident or an object or even a person with a double significance or a two-fold meaning. Symbolism is
an essential feature of Lawrence’s art. These symbols add to the richness of the novel and enhances our
appreciation of the novel.
1) The symbol of the Bottoms : The "Bottoms", which is described in the the novel, is the neighborhood
where the miners and the Morel family live. The "Bottoms" is symbolic of the physical rhythm of the
miners as they descend and ascend in the coal-pits, and also symbolic of Walter Morel's impulsive and
unstructured approach to life. The description of the caol-pits is realistic because it refers to the facts
regarding the miners' life.

2) The symbol of the Ash-tree : Lawrence used the symbol of the Ash-tree to describe the evil and dark
aspects of life. It is a complex symbol carrying more than one meaning, representing the dark,
ambiguous forces of nature that foretell tragedy in human life. The persistent fight between the parents
becomes a terror for the children, who suffer and moan inwardly. It also predicts the future doom that is
to befall the Morel family.

3) The Symbol of the Blood Tie: It is between mother Mrs. Morel and her son Paul. In the early events of
the story, a quarrel occurs between Mrs. Morel and her husband, Walter Morel, during which she is
struck with a drawer. The injury bleeds profusely, and two drops of blood fall on Paul’s hair as he is in
Mrs. Morel's arms. This small incident symbolizes the disappointed and frustrated relationship between
the husband and wife, the subsequent change in Mrs. Morel's attitude toward her husband, and the
substitution of her sons in place of her husband. The scene also symbolizes the bond of the soul
between mother and son, which is sealed with a blood tie.

4) Fire often symbolizes passion : It is symbolic of the burning passion Paul feels for Miriam as they watch
the moon together: "the whole of his blood seemed to burst into flame". For Clara the desire to be with
Paul feels like "a drop of fire" in her chest that burns brighter when he ignores her at the factory. Fire can
also take a negative meaning, warning of the dangers of passion. When Paul and Miriam are together,
food burns. For example Paul burns his mother's bread at his house and the burned potatoes
symbolizing Miriam’s total absorption in Paul at her house.

When William burns his love letters to appease his mother's jealousy, fire symbolizes the destructive
force of Mrs. Morel's passionate love for her sons. Finally, when Paul burns Annie's waxen doll, the fire
foreshadows the way he will treat Miriam later in the novel. After breaking the doll Paul burns the doll,
just as he symbolically "burns" his relationship with Miriam.

5) Symbol of the swing: The Symbol of the Swing : The Swing at Willey Farm is symbolic of the back and
forth relationship between Paul and Miriam. It is similar to the background and forward movement of
the swing, Paul loves Miriam for one thing but suddenly hates her for another. It is also expressive of
their inability to hold on to each other for a very long time. As on the swing Miriam fails to attain the
heights in her physical relationship with Paul and performs it as a religious duty. Thus, she fails to provide
Paul with the physical fulfillment that he is needs.

6) Symbol of the orange moon : The emotional life of the characters of Lawrence are much influenced by
the active participation of nature. Walking together one evening Paul and Mariam witnessed a large
orange moon staring at them. The passion in Paul is aroused by the sight of the moon. Though Miriam is
also deeply moved but Paul fails to get across to her. Violent sexual passion is aroused in Paul, thus the
orange moon becomes a symbol of the aroused passion in Paul.
7) The Symbol of the flower : The scene of the flower picking is highly symbolic. Paul, Mariam and Clara –
Pick flowers. Paul pick flowers with love, like a Lover, Miriam with false reverence and Clara does not pick
them at all. This suggests that the flowers of love between Mariam and Paul will be killed, because she
seems to be killing life out of flowers. When it comes to Clara, she states quite boldly that flowers should
not be picked because it kills them, suggesting that she does not want to be picked by any man. Thus the
flower symbolize the character attitude to life.

8) The Symbol of the Hens: The pecking of the hens at the hands of Paul and Miriam is symbolic of the
failure of their relationship because Miriam is afraid to let the hen peck at her hand. This scene symbolic
of Miriam's fear of physical fulfillment with Paul.

The symbolism in “Sons and Lovers” ultimately highlights the complex relationships between love, family
and personal identity. The character’s struggles and connections are represented through various
symbols, such as the natural world and the domestic space, which reflects their emotional state and
desires. These symbols illustrate the conflicts between societal expectations and individual aspirations,
emphasizing the profound impact of familial bonds on personal development.