David Herbert Lawrence
David Herbert Lawrence
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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David Herbert Richards Lawrence was born on September 11, 1885, in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, England. He is commonly known as D.H. Lawrence.
Birth and Death Dates
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September 11, 1885 – March 2, 1930
Nationality and Profession(s)
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English novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, literary critic, painter, and translator. His writing spans multiple genres, including novels, short stories, poetry, essays, and plays.
Early Life and Background
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Lawrence was born into a family of coal miners in Eastwood. His father, Arthur Lawrence, was a miner, while his mother, Lydia Beardsall Lawrence, managed the family's bakery. The couple had seven children together. David was the second son, and his early life was marked by hardship and poverty.
Lawrence's education began at the local elementary school and later at the Board School in Eastwood. He showed a keen interest in literature from an early age and developed a passion for poetry and drama. In 1901, he left school to work as a clerk in a bakery but soon returned to his studies.
Major Accomplishments
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Published his first short story, "Germany," in the _English Review_ in 1913.
Released his debut novel, _The White Peacock_, in 1911.
Published _Sons and Lovers_ (1913), a semi-autobiographical novel that explores his complex relationship with his mother.
Wrote _Women in Love_ (1920) and _Lady Chatterley's Lover_ (1928), two novels considered among his best works.
Notable Works or Actions
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Lawrence was known for his unconventional lifestyle, which often put him at odds with societal norms. Some notable aspects of his life include:
Anti-militarism: During World War I, Lawrence strongly opposed the war effort and advocated for pacifism.
Free love and relationships: He believed in free love and had several extramarital affairs throughout his life. His relationship with Frieda Weekley, whom he married in 1914, was one of his most significant and enduring relationships.
Impact and Legacy
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Lawrence's work has significantly influenced 20th-century literature. His emphasis on individualism, free love, and emotional expression resonated with many readers during a time of social change. Some of the key aspects of his legacy include:
Rebellion against Victorian values: Lawrence challenged traditional social norms through his writing, often exploring themes that were considered taboo at the time.
Influence on feminist thought: His portrayal of women as complex and multidimensional characters helped pave the way for feminist literature.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Lawrence's quotes are frequently cited due to their insight into human nature, relationships, and society. Some of his most notable quotes include:
"Love is a temporary madness."
"We have to abandon the old myths in order to find our new way."
* "The soul is not something we have, it's what we are."
These quotes offer a glimpse into Lawrence's philosophy on love, relationships, and personal growth. His writing continues to inspire readers today, making him one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century.
By understanding David Herbert Lawrence's life, work, and ideas, we can appreciate his enduring impact on literature and society.
Quotes by David Herbert Lawrence
And enormous mother whales lie dreaming suckling their whale-tender young and dreaming with strange whale eyes wide open in the waters of the beginning and the end.
There's always the hyena of morality at the garden gate, and the real wolf at the end of the street.
In the window full of sunlight / Concentrates her golden shadow / Fold on fold, until it glows as / Mellow as the glory roses.
When she rises in the morning / I linger to watch her / She spreads the bath-cloth underneath the window / And the sunbeams catch her / Glistening white on the shoulders / While down her sides the mellow
The elephant, the huge old beast, is slow to mate; / He finds a female, they show no haste they wait.
But her hands are still the woman, the large, strong hands / Heavier than mine, yet like leverets caught in steel / When I hold them; my still soul understands / Their dumb confession of what her sort must feel.
If you make a revolution, make it for fun, / don't make it in ghastly seriousness, / don't do it in deadly earnest, / do it for fun.
Work can be fun, and men can enjoy it; then it's not labour. / Let's have it so! Let's make a revolution for fun!
All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, For they dream their dreams with open eyes, and make them come true.