How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Mrs. Morel came of an old burgher family, famous independents who had fought with Colonel Hutchinson, and who remained stout Congregationalists. Her grandfather had gone bankrupt in the lace-market at a time when so many lace-manufacturers were ruined in Nottingham. (1.62)
This early passage describes Mrs. Morel's family history, and provides some context for her self-pride. It's this pride that gives rise to her frustrated ambitions, which she later forces onto her sons William and Paul. It's all related, see? And everything made sense forever.
Quote #2
While the baby was still tiny, the father's temper had become so irritable that it was not to be trusted. The child had only to give a little trouble when the man began to bully. A little more, and the hard hands of the collier hit the baby. (1.167)
Even this early on in the story, we can already see how Walter's anger and meanness will end up destroying him. Not to mention the rest of his family. The fact that the dude can't keep his patience with a crying baby suggests he's a bit babyish himself—he wants the world to do whatever he wants it to do. The end.
Quote #3
"You don't get as drunk as a lord on nothing," she replied. "And," she cried, flashing into sudden fury, "if you've been sponging on your beloved Jerry, why, let him look after his children, for they need it." (1.242)
For Walter to go out and spend his family's grocery money on booze is one thing. But for him to go out and spend some other family's grocery money on the sauce is another. In this scene, Mrs. Morel harps on Walter to stop sponging off his friend, and let the poor man's family have a little something to eat.
Quote #4
He was shut out from all family affairs. No one told him anything. The children, alone with the mother, told her all about the day's happenings, everything […] But as soon as the father came in, everything stopped. (4.62)
Walter eventually isn't welcome in his house at all. He's smart enough to realize this, but that doesn't stop him from coming home every day, eating his supper, and going to bed. It's a shame that he can't just apologize for all the stuff he's done, because dude ends up going his whole life without reconnecting with his wife and children. At this point, he's almost more pathetic than he is horrible. Almost.
Quote #5
[William] was coming at Christmas for five days. There had never been such preparations. Paul and Arthur scoured the land for holly and evergreens. (4.316)
After William moves to London, his Christmas visits become a huge affair in the Morel house. The excitement surrounding his visits stems from the fact that William (the oldest brother) has basically replaced his father as the responsible male head of the household. Since Walter is such a never-do-good and all. So, William's arrival always gives the family a chance to gather around a positive male influence. Too bad William couldn't have lived longer…
Quote #6
When he went away again the children retired to various places to weep alone. Morel went to bed in misery, and Mrs. Morel felt as if she were numbed by some drug, as if her feelings were paralyzed. She loved him passionately. (4.366)
Walter Morel's rampages through the Morel house leave everyone upset. Mrs. Morel, though, is the one who still has to crawl in bed with the guy when everything's said and done. The fact that she sometimes still loves Walter passionately shows just how complicated people's feelings can be for their family members—for their sons and lovers, if you will.
Quote #7
They were not badly off whilst Morel was in the hospital. There were fourteen shillings a week from the pit, then shillings from the sick club, and five shillings from the Disability Fund; and then every week the butties had something for Mrs. Morel—five or seven shillings—so that she was quite well to do. (5.58)
When Walter gets injured in the mine, the Morel family enjoys a period of peacefulness. They're even better off financially, because Walter's not around spending all of the family income on booze and gambling. We think it's a pretty bad sign if your family does a lot better when you're not around.
Quote #8
There was always this feeling of jangle and discord in the Leivers family. Although the boys resented so bitterly this eternal appeal to their deeper feelings of resignation and proud humility, yet it had its effect on them. They could not establish between themselves and an outsider just the ordinary human feeling and unexaggerated friendship; they were always restless for something deeper. Ordinary folk seemed shallow to them, trivial and inconsiderable. (7.68)
Here, Lawrence gives us insight into a family that's not the Morels. The Leivers are very different from the Morels because they are always talking to one another with emotional depth. Mrs. Morel and Walter are practical people, while the Leivers are religious and philosophical. This makes it tough for the Leivers to accept outsiders into their home, but Paul eventually breaks into their fold. Until he rejects Miriam like a zillion times, anyway.
Quote #9
It was not his art Mrs. Morel cared about; it was himself and his achievement. But Mrs. Leivers and her children were almost his disciples. They kindled him and made him quietly determined, patient, dogged, unwearied. (7.78)
Mrs. Morel isn't all that interested in how deep her son is. All she cares about is Paul winning first prize in art contests and "moving up in the world." The Leivers, on the other hand, appreciate Paul's intellectual and emotional intelligence and love him for it. You can see how they might give Paul something his own family can't provide.
Quote #10
She could feel Paul being drawn away by this girl. And she did not care for Miriam. "She is one of those who will want to suck a man's soul out till he has none of his own left," she said to herself; "and he is just such a gaby as to let himself be absorbed. She will never let him become a man; she never will." (7.250)
Passages like this one cut to the core of Mrs. Morel. Basically, the woman thinks that Miriam is too intense in her passion for Paul, so if he returns her affections, she will devour Paul's soul. Mrs. Morel doesn't want Paul to completely give himself to a woman, in the way that romantic people might expect from love. She wants Paul to marry a girl he can be at arm's length from emotionally, so he can continue to pursue his individual achievements. The best part about this whole thing is: it's Mrs. Morel's love for Paul that prevents him from maturing.