Paul thinks of painting as his great escape from the modern industrial world portrayed in Sons and Lovers. It's understandable, then, that his favorite thing to paint is natural landscapes. But not only is painting a source of pride for Paul, it's also the primary way that Mrs. Morel projects all of her unfulfilled ambitions onto her son. Paul's success in painting makes Mrs. Morel feels "cultured" in a way that allows her to think she's just as good as any upper-class person in her town. Ultimately, climbing that old social ladder is all Mrs. Morel really cares about. Sigh.
Questions About Art and Culture
- Why does Lawrence choose to make Paul a painter, do you think? How does this distinguish Paul from the other male characters in this book?
- What is the significance of Paul losing his ability to paint after his mother dies? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.
- In what ways does Miriam try to "culture" herself? How does this make the male members of her family resent her?
- Why is Paul so bad at taking criticism when it comes to his painting, especially from Clara Dawes?
Chew on This
Paul Morel's romantic dream of being a painter cannot thrive in a cruel, industrialized world.
According to Lawrence, daily life is decided by the financial relations between workers and factory owners—art and culture are just superficial concerns.