Women in Love and the Fox Written

¶ … Women in Love" and "The Fox" written by DH Lawrence. We will discuss the mood of the novels and the similarities and differences between the two works. In addition, we will seek to understand Lawrence's feelings on love and the sexes.

The Fox" takes place on a farm during the post World War One era. The Fox tells the story of Banford and March-- two unmarried women in their late twenties. March and Banford have opposite personalities -- March is passive and fragile while Banford is feisty and determined. The two women own and operate the Bailey Farm. Lawrence writes,

They were neither of them young: that is, they were near thirty. But they certainly were not old. They set out quite gallantly with their enterprise. They had numbers of chickens, black Leghorns and white Leghorns, Plymouths and Wyandottes; also some ducks; also two heifers in the fields. One heifer, unfortunately, refused absolutely to stay in the Bailey Farm closes. No matter how March made up the fences, the heifer was out, wild in the woods, or trespassing on the neighbouring pasture, and March and Banford were away, flying after her, with more haste than success. So this heifer they sold in despair. Then, just before the other beast was expecting her first calf, the old man died, and the girls, afraid of the coming event, sold her in a panic, and limited their attentions to fowls and ducks. "(Lawrence)

The novel takes an awkward turn when a young soldier comes to live at the farm. The women are taken aback by his presence and he proceeds in attempting to reshape the way that the farm is managed. Banford can see past the soldiers charming demeanor, while March was more passive and fell for his charismatic persuasion. The novel aggressively explores the power of the sexes and the changing times.

Similarly "Women in Love" also explores the story of two women. In this novel the two women are sisters -- Ursula and Gudrun. They are also in their twenties. The stories are also parallel in that the sisters are opposites. The author explains,

Gudrun was very beautiful, passive, soft-skinned, soft-limbed. She wore a dress of dark-blue silky stuff, with ruches of blue and green linen lace in the neck and sleeves; and she had emerald-green stockings. Her look of confidence and diffidence contrasted with Ursula's sensitive expectancy. The provincial people, intimidated by Gudrun's perfect sang-froid and exclusive bareness of manner, said of her: 'She is a smart woman'."(Lawrence)

Lawrence also explores the contrary relationships that these women have with their lovers. Ursula and Rupert are loving and affectionate towards one another while Gudrun and Gerald are distant and detached. In addition Ursula seemed more interested in being married and saw it as an "experience" that she longed to have while Gudrun viewed marriage as "the end of experience." Lawrence also explores the relationship between the two sisters. The author takes a delicate approach while describing the relationship saying,

She laid down her work and looked at her sister. She thought Gudrun so charming, so infinitely charming, in her softness and her fine, exquisite richness of texture and delicacy of line. There was a certain playfulness about her too, such a piquancy or ironic suggestion, such an untouched reserve. Ursula admired her with all her soul."(Lawrence)

Both women are grappling with the benefits and the drawbacks of marriage. Ursula believed that marriage would make life better and that she be better off if she were married. Gudrun wasn't as certain about marriage and didn't believe that marriage would make life better.

Like The Fox, Women in Love takes place during a very important time in history -- the industrial era. Lawrence explored the effect that the industrial era had on human behavior and the changing roles of men and women in society. Lawrence seemed to believe that the environment created by the industrial era made it more difficult for men and women to develop lasting relationships.

Both novels were before their time because they explored the idea of the independent woman. In The Fox the two women owned a farm and ran the farm themselves. In Women in Love both characters were artist and one had even worked and studied away from home. The novels also present the reader with an uncanny look at the views and perspectives of women. Lawrence had a way of uncovering and delving into the thoughts of women that is unparalleled.