The Construction of Female Voices in D.H. Lawrence’s Novels

With Susanne McClure

Tuesday 22nd December, 10am-11am

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We will explore how the words used to report female dialogue in Lawrence’s novels added depth to his characters while simultaneously promoting traditional gender roles. Their voices and the manner in which they spoke often disclosed internal struggles, expressed what characters thought of one another, and served to enhance readers’ perception of the message Lawrence intended to convey.

There are sharp contrasts in Lawrence’s depiction of male and female voices. When his female characters protest, they do so scornfully or passionately while men just protest, without any circumstances. The vast majority of female speech in Lawrence’s novels is often combined with stereotypical phrases such as in a pathetic voice, flushed and inflammable, and in her hot, overbearing voice. His choices in depicting spoken dialogue often helped to define his characters but it also served as an indirect method of illuminating the essence of their personalities, often to the detriment of the women.