Sons and Lovers

The Oedipus complex is a psychological theory, developed by Sigmund Freud, that posits that a child will develop sexual desire for the parent of the opposite sex and will thereby seek to displace their other parent. In Sons and Lovers, the relationship between Gertrude and her sons can be considered Oedipal. First, William demonstrates a strong affection for his mother and—at one point—tries to fight his father. Second, Paul displaces William after William’s death and develops an even more emotionally intense relationship with their mother, one in which he symbolically replaces his father by becoming the primary earner in the household and the one in charge of many domestic responsibilities. There is no question that neither William nor Paul feels anything other than utter adoration for their mother. They both loathe their father, resenting him not only for his abuse but also for his continual presence in their lives. Gertrude reciprocates their love, showering her sons with affection to the point that their devotion is noted by other people. Walter, the loathed father figure who is displaced over the course of the novel, comes closest to directly addressing the Oedipal nature of his sons’ relationships with their mother. On one occasion, he returns home to find Paul and Gertrude in each other’s arms. He offers a wry comment on whatever “mischief” they happen to be getting up to and then slinks away to bed (198). Other than this comment, however, the intense passion between mothers and sons is largely limited to gestures and internal emotion.

William begins the novel as Gertrude’s undisputed favorite. In the opening chapter, he buys her egg cups as a token of his affection for her. Gradually, however, he slips away from her. He develops relationships with other women and removes himself to London. When William dies, Gertrude feels responsible. She loved him so intensely but allowed him to slip away. She slips into a deep depression, only rousing from her grief when she is able to help Paul recover from a similar sickness. With William gone, Paul takes up his mantle as the favored son. Gertrude’s relationship with Paul is even more intense, as though she will not allow Paul to slip through her fingers as William did. She makes him entirely emotionally dependent on her, criticizing his other relationships to the point where loving anyone else feels like an inconceivable betrayal. Paul sleeps in the same bed as his mother, feeling her warmth against his body. He is always thinking about their intimacy and casting his love into the future, imagining them together for many years to come at the expense of any other woman in his life. When they take trips together, he enjoys imagining them as a pair of lovers on an adventure. Paul has no interest in a career or being rich. He has no real interest in a future with Clara or Miriam, as all he really wants is to live with his mother. In an Oedipal sense, his only ambition is to be with his mother in a house of his own, where he has replaced his father and has his mother all to himself.

The relationship between Paul and Gertrude is, ultimately, destructive. Through her affection, she destroys any chance of him being happy with either Miriam or Clara and is quick to make him feel guilt and shame for having any affection for another woman. With respect to Miriam, Gertrude is conscious of her actions. She feels jealous that Paul is spending time with Miriam, so she actively disparages Miriam. Though she is more affectionate to Clara, this is based on Gertrude’s belief that their pairing is doomed and that Paul will inevitably come back to her. Paul returns to Gertrude as she is dying. He cannot watch her suffer, so he euthanizes his beloved mother. This act is the final expression of his Oedipal love, a gesture of affection that is as caring—in his mind—as any kiss or hug.