Author(s)

Sun Lu ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ School of Foreign Languages, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China

Corresponding Author

Sun Lu

ABSTRACT

"Sons and Lovers" is a modernist autobiographical novel that delves into Paul's psychological development, which is divided into three phases: absolute dependence, relative dependence, and the quest for independence, consistent with object relations theory. Absolute dependence involves a "good enough" mother; relative dependence includes a supportive environment and transitional objects; and independence is related to the perception of death. This paper analyzes Paul's development through Winnicott's theory, highlighting the critical role of "good enough" mothers and nurturing environments in child development, and revealing a key principle: true self-actualization can only be achieved after going through the entire process of absolute dependence, relative dependence, and the pursuit of independence.

KEYWORDS

Object-relation theory; Sons and Lovers; transitional object; self-realization

CITE THIS PAPER

Sun Lu, Analysis of Paul's Self-realization in Sons and Lovers with Winnicott's Object-relation Theory. Lecture Notes on Language and Literature (2023) Vol. 6: 103-109. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/langl.2023.061616.

REFERENCES

[1] Chen Xiaoming. Humanistic Psychoanalysis Study of Major Characters in Sons and Lovers. Fujian: Fujian Normal University, 2011.
[2] Gan Xueting. On the Social Content of the Mother-Children Love in Sons and Lovers. Sichuan: Sichuan Normal university, 2013.
[3] Miao Yu. Paul's Pursuit of Self: Interpretation of Sons and Lovers from Lacan's "the Mirror Stage Theory". Henan: Zhengzhou University, 2012.
[4] Winnicott, D. W. Playing and Reality. Australia: Penguin Books, 1971.
[5] Lawrence, D. H. Sons and Lovers. Xian: World Publishing Xian Corporation, 2005.
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[7] Winnicott, D. W. The Maturational Process and the Facili-tating Environment. London: Hogarth Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis, 1965.
[8] Winnicott, D. W. Through Paediatrics to Psycho-Analyses. London: Tavistock Publications Ltd., 1958.
[9] Zhang Yan. Paul: A Chaser for a Clear Looking-Glass Self. Hunan: Hunan Normal university, 2013.
[10] Chen Qingxun. Lawrence's Essays on Reading [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Sanlian Bookstore, 2007.
[11] Freud, Sigmund. The Ego and the Id [M]. Beijing: Jiuzhou Publishing House, 2014.
[12] Xi Haoli. The Turn of Object Relations Theory: A Study of Winnicott [M]. Fujian: Fujian Education Press, 2008.
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