Minutes April book: Lady Chatterley's Lover

Lady Chatterley's Lover

By D.H. Lawrence

(Chosen by CH)

Theme: Banned books

CH chose this book after perusing a Wiki list of banned books. She had first read it when she was 12 years old, again at 30 and now. She was interested in exploring the basis on which this book was banned, particularly as it was just recently (2009) banned from sale in Australia Post shops, as it was didn't fit in with the 'theme of their stores'. 

About the author:

David Herbert Lawrence was born in 1885. After attending Beauvale Board School he won a scholarship to Nottingham High School. He left school in 1901 and was employed for a short time as a clerk at a manufacturer of surgical appliances, then trained as a teacher and took up a teaching post. In 1912, after a period of serious illness, he returned to Nottinghamshire, and then eloped to Germany with Frieda Weekley, the wife of Professor Ernest Weekley. They returned to England in 1914 and were married at Kensington Register Office on 14 July. After the War, they left England once more, and travelled extensively within Europe and then further afield to Ceylon, Australia, Mexico and New Mexico. Lawrence's health continued to deteriorate and he returned to Europe with Frieda in 1925. During his last years he lived mostly in Italy, making only brief visits to England.  He died on 2 March 1930 in the south of France. Lawrence was a prolific writer - of poetry, novels, short stories, plays, essays, and criticism. His works are heavily autobiographical and profoundly influenced by  the experiences of his early years in Nottinghamshire.

(general biographical detail from The University of Nottingham Manuscripts and Special Collections webpage)

What a publisher says about the book:

Constance Chatterley feels trapped in her sexless marriage to the invalid Sir Clifford. Unable to fulfil his wife emotionally or physically, Clifford encourages her to have a liaison with a man of their own class. But Connie is attracted instead to her husband’s gamekeeper and embarks on a passionate affair that brings new life to her stifled existence. Can she find a true equality with Mellors, despite the vast gulf between their positions in society? One of the most controversial novels in English literature, Lady Chatterley’s Lover is an erotically charged and psychologically powerful depiction of adult relationships.

What we discussed about the book:

• Why are books banned? 
• On what basis can a book be banned? Immorality? Offensiveness? Perverting the course of justice? 
• What subject matter (if any) would each of us think is unacceptable for publication?
• Does the language (particularly the use of the C and F-words) shock readers nowadays? Is it the kind of book 'you'd wish your wife or your servants to read'?
• Was 'coarse' language used to desensitise readers to the sexual aspects of the story?
• The repetitious use of certain phrases or words in the novel - e.g. 'bitch goddess', 'stirring in the bowels'
• How were plot and characters used to philosophise about social issues? Did this interrupt the flow of the narrative?
• Was Connie a creature of her times? In what ways did her character display conflict of head vs body.
• Was Connie's upbringing usual? In what ways did it influence her thoughts and actions?
• The concept of being 'in the body' or 'in the mind' - what was Lawrence saying about each state?
• Was the relationship between Connie and Mellors believable? How did it contrast with the beautifully drawn analysis of Connie and Clifford's relationship?
• Was Clifford portrayed fairly?  Were readers manipulated into our views of him?
• What was the catalyst for Connie moving from the realm of the intellectual to the physical?
• Is Lawrence suggesting that falling in love can follow after connecting initially physically.
• The representation of class issues. In what ways had Mellors been damaged by class structures?
• Why did Mellors alternate between Darbyshire dialect and middle class English? What statement was being made about this?
• How did Mellor's treatment of his child influence our opinion of him? Did we trust him?
• How did power shift with the introduction of Mrs Bolton? How did she represent the rise of industrialisation?
• Was it a happy ending? What did we think happened after the novel ended?

And then we were sidetracked into:

• What is the etymology of the F-word? And the C-word?
• What is a bath chair?
• Was this the book we expected (for those who hadn't read it before)?
• Would this book have been as 'famous' and popular if it hadn't been banned?

In other news, we discussed:

• Various ailments affecting family members
• The stresses and funny moments of nursing

Ratings:
Range: 6.5 to 8.5
Average:  7.19

Next book: The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do (chosen by Elster)