The Language of Lawrence
Well, when it rains it pours. Here I was trying to figure out why "Lady Chatterley's Love" is such a controversial book and I was soon to find out. After their first encounter, Mellors and Lady Chatterley do little more than enjoy each other constantly. Lawrence is explicit, but in a tasteful way. There's the use of some heavy words when Mellors is describing to Lady Chatterley the physiological functions of a man and a woman. But one gets the sense that back in 1928, when the book was privately published, those words had a different meaning, at least not all together what they mean today. Chapter 10 is a wonderful journey of language. It is so well-written it makes me think that my own ventures into fiction writing are hopeless. But then again, we are talking about one of the great genius of the English language. I know I have mentioned before how wonderful "Women in Love" is, but unfortunately I don't have the time this year (my reading list for 2007) to re-read it and do justice to some comparison between the two. I know that I totally lost myself while reading Chapter 10. I came back from school early yesterday and just went to my reading room and read comfortably while it rained outside. A good cup of tea and my cat Mischa on my lap didn't hurt any either. These are the times when I realize how much literature means to me, not only the passive and engaging reading but even my simulacrum of writing little stories and sketches. This is one of the things one hopes to pass on to the students--a total love of living and learning and losing one's self in a good book.
Labels: D.H. Lawrence, Lady Chatterley, reading, writing
posted by BookLoverMC @ 10:12 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
What a swell mood you appeared to have engaged in, yesterday afternoon.
Rain, tea & a good book.
Perhaps some softly-playing opera or Garfunkel's melancholic rendition of The Dangling Conversation may have added on to the atmosphere.
And that's a meticulous reading list too, that you have planned for this year.
For all the rest of DH Lawrence, continue to be inspired, JCR.
I enjoy reading what you write and how you articulate it. The last few sentences of this post especially were inspiring...I think I can feel your love for literature in those very words!
Heather
www.thelibraryladder.blogspot.com
I agree totally with the rain, a cup of tea, a cat on your lap, and a good book! My idea of heaven :) You have a very impressive 2007 reading list. I noticed you have The Gunter Grass Reader on it - have you read much by him? I have The Danzig Trilogy (The Tin Drum, Cat and Mouse, and Dog Years), The Rat, and The Gunter Grass Reader but haven't read any of them yet. Would love to know what you think if you have read any of those.
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