The Lawrentian Woman: Monsters in the Margins of 20th-Century British Literature

The Lawrentian Woman: Monsters in the Margins of 20 th-Century British Literature by Dusty Brice Despite his own conservative values, D.H. Lawrence writes sexually liberated female characters. The most subversive female characters in Lawrence's oeuvre are the Brangwens of The Rainbow. The Brangwens are prototypical models of a form of femininity that connects women to Nature while distancing them from society; his women are cast as monsters, but are strengthened from their link with Nature. They represent what I am calling the Lawrentian-Woman. The Lawrentian-Woman has proven influential for contemporary British authors. I examine the Lawrentian-Woman's adoption by later writers and her evolution from modernist frame to postmodern appropriation. First, I look at the Brangwens. They establish the tropes of the Lawrentian-Woman and provide the base from which to compare the model's subsequent mutations. Next, I examine modern British writers and their appropriation of the Lawrentian-Woman. The Lawrentian-Woman's attributes remain intact, but are deconstructed in ways that explore women's continued liminality in patriarchal society. wants you to be whatever you want to be when you grow up. Don't let other people define you. Just be you. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Let me start by saying that I wouldn't be the man that I am without my beautiful, incredible fiancé Holli Flettrich. She is patient, kind, graceful, and has been beyond wonderful as I've worked toward achieving my dreams. I'm ridiculously lucky. I must also thank my mother, Tammy Lane, and my father, Kenny Brice. They have been nothing but supportive in all of my endeavors. I aspire to be as good as they are. This project would not have happened if it weren't for my committee chair, Dr. Daniel Westover. He encouraged me throughout this process, and has been absolutely essential in each stage of the project. I have become a better scholar under his guidance, and I'm grateful that I've had this opportunity. Also, special thanks to Dr. Phyllis Thompson and Dr. Michael Cody for their wonderful insight concerning my project. Their questions and comments have allowed me to further refine my thesis, and I am appreciative of all of their suggestions. All of my colleagues are, frankly, amazing. I'm thankful for all of their input and insight. If you've read any of my work, or you've listened to any of my ramblings, thank you. and my many, many nieces and nephews. If you've been involved in my life, I owe …