Individualist Theme Of Individualism In The Horse Dealer's Daughter

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Our decisions define us. In D.H. Lawrence’s modernist short story “The Horse Dealer’s Daughter,” protagonist Mabel’s life seems over when she finds herself an orphan. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of a romantic love story, with the chance to start her life anew. The era of modernist literature became the first time works about mundane individuals and their lives fell into popular favor. The story follows the simple life of Mabel, her depression after her father’s death, and her eventual unorthodox courtship with Doctor Ferguson. Mabel’s decision to shape her own path, rather than be forced into servitude, illustrates the modernist theme of individualism. Mabel’s individualist story is told through devices such as symbolism, imagery, and repetition. Lawrence’s fictitious story is a prime example of the new modernist thought of the time. Mabel and her siblings are often symbolically compared to drastically different animals. Due to Mabel’s perpetual unhappy expression she was given the nickname “’bull-dog’” by her three brothers (Lawrence 2496). Although, this nickname is meant to insult Mabel in actuality it symbolizes Mabel’s stubborn independent nature. Bulldogs were bred for the purpose of bullbaiting, a sport in which the small dogs were …show more content…

In the case of Mabel happiness would not have existed without grief and happiness. Her choice to take control of her own life allows her a unique opportunity at the security of married life. D.H. Lawrence’s piece, “The Horse Dealer’s Daughter,” uses a strong female protagonist to show how bending to society isn’t the only choice you have. Mabel uses her unwavering independent spirit to choose her own path in life rather than live a miserable existence. Her choices are a prime example of individualist thought, an ideal praised during the modernist time when the piece was written. Lawrence inspires the reader to always do what they see fit as it can result in great

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