RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE

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theory.
He and Gerald are seen like two forces in one, as in
sexual intercourse:
[Birkin] seemed to penetrate into Gerald's more
solid, more diffuse bulk, to interfuse his body
through the body of the other, as if to bring
it subtly into subjection... It was as if Birkin's
whole physical intelligence interpenetrated into
Gerald's body, as if his fine, sublimated energy
entered into the flesh of the fuller man, like
some potency, casting a fine net, a prison,
through the muscles into the very depths of
Gerald's physical being (p.262).
Wrestling also involves dominating the partner, putting him into
dependence and subjugation till "there was no head to be seen,
only the swift tight limbs, the solid white backs, the physical
junction of two bodies clinched into oneness" (p.263).
Of course
it is Birkin who masters Gerald, although the latter is
physically stronger.
Both fall unconscious when the match ends.
Their bodies are relaxed, but Gerald's is under Birkin's which
somehow implies Gerald's submissive position.
When they come
to consciousness again, they discuss their wrestling and Birkin,
who is still leaning on Gerald's body, touches the latter's hand
for some moments till Gerald withdraws it.
The touch has struck
Gerald perhaps as an electrical shock and being conscious,
his
attitude is to reject the contact.
Lawrence tells us that "The
wrestling had some deep meaning to them - an unfinished
meaning" (p.265).
It is unfinished perhaps due to the idea that
consciously both men still refuse their own intimate connection.
That is why Birkin is not yet satisfied with this Blutbrflderschaft
as he answers Gerald's question:
"'... Is this the
Blutbrflderschaft you wanted?' 'Perhaps...'" (ibid).
In fact
Birkin is disappointed with Gerald.
Ursula returns to his mind
again and he tells Gerald of his frustrated visit to her house.
The last point of Birkin's visit to Gerald is seen when they
talk about love.
Birkin is still seen as the most liberal of