Psychoanalysis study of D.H. Lawrence’s personality development in Sons and Lovers

ABSTRACT

The personality development of Paul Morel as the main character that occurred in the novel is almost the same with the personality development of D. H. Lawrence as the author. By taking account of Freudian’s theory, this study is focused on analyzing the personality development of D. H. Lawrence reflected on Sons and Lovers.

This study is conducted to reach an understanding and detailed explanation about the relation between Sons and Lovers and D. H. Lawrence as its author. It is important to be investigated because by knowing that relation, it will be known whether Sons and Lovers is as the real biography of D. H. Lawrence or Sons and Lovers is used to express Lawrence’s deep neuroses. So, investigating those two personalities development and its relation will make the reader understand well to interpret the novel.

This study is conducted by applying the literary criticism which analyze and interpret the reflection of personality development of D. H. Lawrence in Sons and Lovers descriptively. The primary data is the texts of the novel, Sons and Lovers authored by D. H. Lawrence. Secondary data is the Biography of D. H. Lawrence that written by John Worthen. The data are analyzed firstly by analyzing the personality development of main character occurred in the novel based on the Freudian’s theory about personality development. Then, the data are investigated by analyzing and interpreting the data concerning the biography of D.H. Lawrence as the author of the novel based on Freud’s theory about personality development. Finally, the data are analyzed by relating two analyses before and interpreting their relation.

Data analysis revealed some findings covering the formulated research problems. This study found that both main character of Sons and Lovers, Paul Morel and D. H. Lawrence as the author are almost the same. The entire their problems are caused by the parental attitudes; the father’s bad manner and the mother’s over treatment. So, the problems they faced are the same that in their early stages (oral, anal, phallic and genital), they cannot solve the problem they have. But, for the ending of their life is in contrary. They are different each other. Therefore, this Sons and Lovers is the semi-biographical novel. Further, their relation is that his novel entitled Sons and Lovers is seen as the product of the imagination of D.H. Lawrence.