Starting from the apocalyptic modernist assumption that "[h]umanity is a dead letter” ("Women in Love" 60) Lawrence launches, especially after the Great War, his bitterest attacks on bourgeois society. He accuses Western civilisation of causing the impoverishment of what he calls the sensuous vitality of the “lower self” ("Fantasia of the Unconscious and Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious" 178), of turning human beings into spineless abstractions, and of transforming man into a consuming machine. Lawrence cannot expect from modern society anything other than post-mortem effects. He however believes that the novel, “the one bright book of life ,” as he calls it, may eventually reinvigorate this moribund society.
In order to address the notion of invisibility in relation to Lawrence’s apocalyptic / vitalistic vision, I have chosen one of his most eloquent and perplexing works, i.e. "The Man Who Died" which deals with the representation of the world’s invisibility and mindlessness. This short novel is one of his lesser works, the title of which refers to the main character who has risen from the dead as a parodic, Christ-like figure.
In this paper, I will analyse the various ways in which Lawrence endeavours to make the invisible vitality of the living world – what he calls “the phenomenal world” (143) – visible and palpable, and even more real than reality itself.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: The Narrative and its Characters
- Chapter 2: Subversion of Christian Dogma
- Chapter 3: The Story Line and its Significance
- Chapter 4: Visibility and Invisibility
- Chapter 5: Lawrence's Artistic Vision
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes D.H. Lawrence's The Man Who Died, focusing on the representation of the invisible vitality of the living world. The objective is to explore how Lawrence makes this invisible world visible and palpable within the novel's narrative. The analysis examines Lawrence's subversion of Christian dogma and his emphasis on a pantheistic view of life.
- Representation of the Invisible
- Subversion of Christian Dogma and Archetypes
- The Importance of Sensuous Vitality and the "Phenomenal World"
- The Interplay of Visibility and Invisibility
- Lawrence's Artistic Techniques and the Dramatization of Consciousness
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: The Narrative and its Characters: This chapter introduces the narrative of The Man Who Died, highlighting its unconventional characters and events. The eponymous character, risen from the dead, interacts with a range of marginal figures including slaves, a priestess of Isis, and a peasant couple. The "escaped cock" is presented as a symbolic representation of life, contrasting with the main character's journey from death. The chapter establishes the narrative's setting and key players, laying the groundwork for the exploration of themes of resurrection, societal margins, and the interplay between life and death.
Chapter 2: Subversion of Christian Dogma: This chapter delves into Lawrence's deconstruction of Christian dogma within the novel. Lawrence subverts the resurrection narrative through a satirical reinterpretation, contrasting the man's resurrection with the limitations of Christian idealism and humanism. The encounter between the risen man and the priestess of Isis serves as a pivotal moment, representing a rejection of Christian ritual and a celebration of pagan rites. The chapter highlights the tension between "narrow belief" and a pantheistic faith in the natural world, exploring Lawrence's critique of modern society's detachment from primal life forces.
Chapter 3: The Story Line and its Significance: While the plot of The Man Who Died is straightforward – the resurrected man's journey and encounters – its significance lies in the representation of an invisible reality coexisting with the visible world. The narrative culminates in a paradoxical chiasm: the man's avoidance of humanity leads him to a deeper connection with the inhuman world. The chapter emphasizes the importance of experiencing the immediate present and the sensuous physicality of life, contrasting this with the limitations of an idealized spiritual realm.
Chapter 4: Visibility and Invisibility: This chapter explores the central theme of (in)visibility in the novel. The anonymity of the "man who died" represents his social invisibility and freedom from societal constraints. Lawrence uses this invisibility as a means to explore various issues such as self and un-self, religion and dogma, and masculinity and femininity, all of which are examined through the lens of visibility and invisibility. The chapter argues that Lawrence's focus is not on an idealized, transcendental heaven but on the visible incarnation of the immediate present.
Chapter 5: Lawrence's Artistic Vision: This chapter analyzes Lawrence's artistic techniques in The Man Who Died. Lawrence utilizes the character's consciousness as a central element, creating a sense of immediacy between the experiencing subject and the experience. The narrative's fluidity stems from the interplay between the character's inner life and the external world. The chapter discusses the tension between spontaneous unconsciousness and the character's self-conscious attitude, exploring the competing worlds of the visible and the invisible in Lawrence's writing.
Keywords
D.H. Lawrence, The Man Who Died, invisibility, visibility, Christian dogma, pantheism, sensuous vitality, phenomenal world, resurrection, masculinity, femininity, consciousness, self, un-self.
D.H. Lawrence's "The Man Who Died": Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes D.H. Lawrence's novella, The Man Who Died, concentrating on its depiction of the invisible yet vital forces of the natural world. The analysis explores how Lawrence renders this invisible world tangible and visible within the narrative.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper examines several key themes, including the representation of the invisible, the subversion of Christian dogma and archetypes, the significance of sensuous vitality and the "phenomenal world," the interplay between visibility and invisibility, and Lawrence's artistic techniques in dramatizing consciousness. Specifically, it investigates Lawrence's pantheistic perspective and its contrast with Christian idealism.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured around five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the narrative and characters. Chapter 2 delves into Lawrence's critique of Christian dogma. Chapter 3 analyzes the story's significance, focusing on the representation of an invisible reality. Chapter 4 explores the central theme of visibility and invisibility within the novella. Finally, Chapter 5 examines Lawrence's artistic techniques, particularly his use of consciousness and the interplay between inner and outer worlds.
What are the key takeaways from each chapter?
Chapter 1: Introduces the unconventional characters and events, highlighting the symbolic representation of life and death. Chapter 2: Examines Lawrence's satirical deconstruction of Christian resurrection and his celebration of paganism. Chapter 3: Emphasizes the importance of experiencing the present moment and sensuous physicality. Chapter 4: Analyzes the concept of (in)visibility as it relates to social constraints, self/un-self, and religious dogma. Chapter 5: Explores Lawrence's use of consciousness and the tension between spontaneous unconsciousness and self-conscious attitude.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words include: D.H. Lawrence, The Man Who Died, invisibility, visibility, Christian dogma, pantheism, sensuous vitality, phenomenal world, resurrection, masculinity, femininity, consciousness, self, un-self.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The objective is to provide a comprehensive analysis of The Man Who Died, focusing on how Lawrence makes the invisible world visible and palpable through his narrative and artistic techniques. The paper aims to shed light on Lawrence's unique perspective and his critique of modern society's detachment from primal life forces.
- Quote paper
- Mansour Khelifa (Author), 2007, Invisibility in D.H. Lawrence's Short Novel "The Man Who Died". The Will to Be, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/314253
