Lawrence, D.H.: 1885-1930
The Virgin and the Gypsy, 1930 - Information about the Book
- General Information
- The novel tells the story of a sheltered rector's daughter whose life is changed when she is introduced to a world of unfettered passion.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Facts
- The Virgin and the Gipsy was discovered in France after D. H. Lawrence's death in 1930. Immediately recognized as a masterpiece in which Lawrence had distilled and purified his ideas about sexuality and morality, The Virgin and the Gipsy has become a classic and is one of Lawrence's most electrifying short novels.
- Yvette Saywell - She is a young, free-spirited woman who feels stifled by the conventions of her upper-class family and society. Yvette is drawn to the mysterious gypsy man, representing freedom and sensuality that she craves.
The Gypsy - An unnamed gypsy man who embodies the wild, natural world that Yvette finds alluring. He is portrayed as virile and sensual, living outside of societal norms.
Lucille Saywell - Yvette's more conventional older sister who does not share her rebellious desires.
Reverend Saywell - The strict, repressive father of Yvette and Lucille who tries to control Yvette's behavior.
Aunt Cissie - The maiden aunt who enforces propriety in the household.
Mrs. Fawcett and Major Eastwood - A couple carrying on an affair, whose defiance of social mores appeals to Yvette's rebellious nature.
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- Repression of Sexuality and Desire
The novella centers around Yvette, a young virgin who feels repressed by the strict social mores and puritanical attitudes of her family and community. She is drawn to a free-spirited gypsy man, representing her longing for sexual awakening and liberation from convention.Rebellion Against Conformity
Yvette's attraction to the gypsy symbolizes her rebellion against the conformist life expected of her as a vicar's daughter. The gypsy represents an uncivilized, natural way of living that defies societal rules and norms.Conflict Between Nature and Civilization
Lawrence juxtaposes the natural, earthy world of the gypsies with the stifling, artificial constraints of civilized society. Yvette is torn between her natural desires and the expectations placed upon her by her family and their rigid moral code.Symbolic Use of the Flood
A pivotal flood scene serves as a symbolic rebirth for Yvette, washing away the old world and allowing her to consummate her relationship with the gypsy, embracing her sexuality and newfound freedom.In summary, "The Virgin and the Gypsy" explores Lawrence's recurring themes of sexual repression, the individual's struggle against societal conventions, and the conflict between nature and civilization through the lens of a young woman's sexual awakening.
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