RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE

104
though dependent at first, tries to overcome his mother's
influence.
This does not occur to Siegmund, as I shall try to
show later on.
Helena and Siegmund's relationship is not one in which
there is a struggle for power.
From the start Helena is the
owner of the truth and Siegmund is the passive agent.
He is the
lamb, she is the tiger. There are no grounds of equality. He
does not vindicate any right.
She also does not usurp power
because she is the powerful one to begin with and she knows it.
And as she knows everything, she does not claim rights 'or feel
menaced by him. Helena underestimates Siegmund because he allows
her to see him as the weakest.
One way of exercising power is exemplified in their walk
towards the cliffs.
Helena goes first, showing her protective
and assertive superiority, whereas Siegmund follows her, afraid
of the different path.
She is always provoking situations of
danger but as soon as the danger comes too close to her she
escapes.
She also mocks at his fear:
'Come back, dear. Don't go so near,' he
pleaded following as close as he might. She heard
the pain and appeal in his voice. It thrilled her,
as she went a little near. What was death but one
of her symbols, the death of which the sagas talk -
something grand, and sweeping, and dark...
She watched the beautiful birds, heard the
pleading.of Siegmund, and she thrilled with
pleasure, toying with his keen anguish (p.45).
Helena's provocation of the man seems clear: she seems to feel
pleasure in torturing her weak sweetheart who is all anguish.
This scene may be compared with their sexual life. She tortures
him but escapes from love-making: sex, like the seagulls she
sees, is "'so fine down there'". She prefers things at a
distance.
The birds which are beaked can also be related to