Naturalism Period: D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence was a very notable writer in his prime and although he was not known for being an active practitioner of naturalism during the literary period of naturalism, Lawrence used this type of literary work exceptionally well. D.H. Lawrence used the characters, themes and motifs throughout The Rainbow, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover to exemplify the themes, motifs and characterization techniques used by many authors during the naturalism period.

D.H. Lawrence exemplified the main themes of the naturalism literary period throughout many of his novels, one especially including his short novel The Rainbow. The second tension of naturalism involves the fact that the characters are controlled by some other force, such as; environment, heredity, chance or instinct. Early in the novel, it is clear to the reader that Tom Brangwen is “unable to controvert even the most stupid argument so that he would admit things that he did not in the least believe,” then, Tom Brangwen’s thirst for power drove him to a place that ended with him falling in love for a Polish single mother of a daughter, Anna. This exemplifies the tension of naturalism that involves the fact that the characters are controlled by some other force, this force being heredity and instinct. Tom Brangwen’s heredity and instinct led him to lead a quest for power that ultimately landed him into a place that a man must learn the qualities it takes to become a man, and fast, this place is being in love with a woman and caring for a child. The definition of the naturalism movement is a literary movement that used detailed realism to suggest that used detailed realism to suggest that social conditions, heredity, and environment had inescapable force in shaping human character. ...

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...istic works of literature. Ultimately Lady Chatterley’s Lover was much more controversial than The Rainbow but both pieces of literary work illuminate the key themes and motifs of works of literature during the naturalism literary period.

D.H. Lawrence was an amazing short story writer and authors after him were able to learn from his successions, and also his faults to become better authors themselves. D.H. Lawrence used the characters, themes and motifs throughout The Rainbow, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover to exemplify the themes, motifs and characterization techniques used by many authors during the naturalism period.

Works Cited

"Naturalism in American Literature." Naturalism in American Literature. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

"'The Rainbow' Review." About.com Classic Literature. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.

SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.