RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE

RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE RELATIONS OF DOMINANCE AND EQUALITY IN D. H. LAWRENCE

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281 (ibid). March's answer is an attempt to disguise her feelings. But Banford seems to get the meaning of March's cry and says: '"Oh, Nellie, I hope you aren't jumpy and nervy. I feel I can't stand another thing! Whoever did you mean? Did you mean Henry?'" (ibid). The fact that Banford refers to Henry and says she cannot stand another 'thing' may imply that she is becoming aware of the puzzled personality of March. lose March to the young man. Banford may be feeling afraid to That seems why she cannot stand her new mood. And once more March disguises her feelings saying to Banford '"yes. I suppose so,'... She would never confess to the fox" (p.113). Two important events happen.this same night which are worth examining. The first one is Henry's sense of ownership of the house and of March's will. goes and gets tea for him. He wants some tea: March obediently The fact that he is a visitor does not account for the attitude March takes. Previously it was Banford who was in charge of the housework, now March replaces her. The reversal of roles starts here. Banford is the same, but March is beginning to change. Henry is the main reason for her change. The second event refers to Henry and Banford. Now he starts calling her strictly 'Miss Banford' which implies his wish to keep her as distant as possible from him. It is not respect that makes him alter his way of addressing her, but a way to see her as an older person who has nothing to do with him. The hunting of March is re-initiated as soon as Banford goes to bed. It is here that March seems to contradict Lawrence's narrative. Henry, directing again the conversation, asks March about her involuntary cry and she says that '"Why, I thought you were the fox!'" (ibid). On this same page, at the

282 top, Lawrence says that March "would never confess to the fox". There seems to be a distance between what the author wants the character to say and what the character herself says. But perhaps March has not confessed the truth before because Banford was also present in the room and now there is only March and Henry. March tells Henry what she feels in relation to the fox (extensive to Henry too): 'Why, one evening last summer when I was out with the gun I saw the fox in the grass nearly at my feet, looking straight up at me. I don't know - I suppose he made an impression on me.' She turned aside her head again and let one foot stray loose, self-consciously (ibid). The fact that March says that the fox has made an impression on her may imply that she is admitting to herself that she wants to become a female. This may also imply her struggle to admit this conflict in herself in front of a man whom she identifies with the fox and who makes her feel helpless. As the conversation continues Henry's attitudes give us the impression that they are the same as the fox's. When March observes that f the fox seemed to be laughing at her, Henry repeats the fox's laugh: "'And you thought I was the fox, did you?' he laughed with the same queer laugh, like a puppy wrinkling his nose"(p. 114). March replies that she did and that "'Perhaps [the fox had] been in my mind without my knowing"' (ibid). This is definitely an assertion that her femaleness is being awakened due to the fox's presence. It implies the knowledge of her femaleness hidden by the strong presence of her masculinity. Henry starts 'hunting' again and demands from her with his soft mesmerizing voice, an answer to his proposal. She refuses to answer due to her confused mind. He keeps near her touching

281<br />

(ibid).<br />

March's answer is an attempt to disguise her feelings.<br />

But Banford seems to get the meaning of March's cry and says:<br />

'"Oh, Nellie, I hope you aren't jumpy and nervy. I feel I can't<br />

stand another thing! Whoever did you mean? Did you mean Henry?'"<br />

(ibid).<br />

The fact that Banford refers to Henry and says she cannot<br />

stand another 'thing' may imply that she is becoming aware of the<br />

puzzled personality of March.<br />

lose March to the young man.<br />

Banford may be feeling afraid to<br />

That seems why she cannot stand her<br />

new mood.<br />

And once more March disguises her feelings saying to<br />

Banford '"yes. I suppose so,'... She would never confess to the<br />

fox" (p.113).<br />

Two important events happen.this same night which are worth<br />

examining.<br />

The first one is Henry's sense of ownership of the<br />

house and of March's will.<br />

goes and gets tea for him.<br />

He wants some tea: March obediently<br />

The fact that he is a visitor does<br />

not account for the attitude March takes.<br />

Previously it was<br />

Banford who was in charge of the housework, now March replaces<br />

her. The reversal of roles starts here. Banford is the same,<br />

but March is beginning to change.<br />

Henry is the main reason for<br />

her change. The second event refers to Henry and Banford. Now<br />

he starts calling her strictly<br />

'Miss Banford' which implies his<br />

wish to keep her as distant as possible from him.<br />

It is not<br />

respect that makes him alter his way of addressing her, but a<br />

way to see her as an older person who has nothing to do with<br />

him.<br />

The hunting of March is re-initiated as soon as Banford<br />

goes to bed.<br />

It is here that March seems to contradict<br />

Lawrence's narrative.<br />

Henry, directing again the conversation,<br />

asks March about her involuntary cry and she says that '"Why, I<br />

thought you were the fox!'" (ibid).<br />

On this same page, at the

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