Prose and Style in Sons and Lovers

[1]And after such an evening they both were very still, having

known the immensity of passion. [2]They felt small, half afraid, childish,

and wondering, like Adam and Eve when they lost their innocence and

realized the magnificence of the power which drove them out of Paradise and

across the great night and the great day of humanity. [3]It was for each

of them an initiation and a satisfaction. [4]To know their own nothingness,

to know the tremendous living flood which carried them always, gave them

rest within themselves. [5]If so great a magnificent power could overwhelm

them, identify them all together with itself, so that they knew they were

only grains in the tremendous heave that lifted every grass-blade it's

little height, and every tree, and living thing, then why fret about

themselves? [6]They could let themselves be carried by life, and they felt

a sort of peace each in the other. [7]There was a verification which they

had had together. [8]Nothing could nullify it, nothing could take it away;

it was almost their belief in life.

[9]But Clara was not satisfied. [10]Something great was there, she

knew; something great enveloped her. [11]But it did not keep her. [12]In

the morning it was not the same. [13]They had known, but she could not

keep the moment. [14]She wanted it again; she wanted something permanent.

[15]She had not realized fully. [16]She thought it was he whom she wanted.

[17]He was not safe to her. [18]This that had been between them might

never be again; he might leave her. [19]She had not got him; she was not

satisfied. [20]She had been there, but she had not gripped the-the

something-she knew not what-which she was mad to have. (336-337)

This passage, from D.H. Lawrence's novel, Sons and Lovers,

describes the thoughts of Paul Morel and Clara Dawes after they have spent

an evening of passion together. It is now that Paul and Clara realize that

they are not able to fulfill each other's needs adequately. Most of the

sentences are complex, illustrating the complexity of the situation and the

character's thoughts, yet the speech is simple and descriptive. Lawrence's

can be seen by examining the diction, grammar, and the rhythm and sound

devices.