Exploring Dehumanization in D.H. Lawrence's
Updated: Aug 6
Written by: Cleo Cuizon
Date Published: June 10, 2026
The modern world has opened new avenues for humanity to perceive life beyond traditional beliefs. However, as society progresses into a new order, the value of subjectivity slowly fades from our collective mindset. This shift creates an outlook that deprives individuals of their uniqueness. This phenomenon is known as dehumanization. According to Anisuka Luna, dehumanization is a “complex, relational, and subjective phenomenon” that centers on forms of maltreatment that alter humanity’s view of one another (18). This concept significantly influences literary perspectives, particularly in the works of D.H. Lawrence. A prime example is Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, which narrates the story of the Morel family and their experiences of poverty, love, hatred, and loss (Lawrence 2006). Amid their struggles, the characters embody dehumanizing aspects, as certain events imply objectification in their existence. Through this lens, Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers elucidates the concept of dehumanization through the experiences of patriarchy, capitalism, and industrialization.
The Violent Dominance of Patriarchy
Patriarchy’s connection to dehumanization lies in its principle of male supremacy. Lawrence’s interpretation of patriarchy involves a man’s “strong role [and] absolute power in society” (Bo 1499). A poignant example can be found in the relationship between Walter and Gertrude Morel. Their abusive marriage exemplifies patriarchal abuse, characterized by Walter’s erratic temper and alcohol addiction. An illustrative passage from the text captures their tumultuous dynamic through the children’s perspective:
Then he heard the booming shouts of his father, come home nearly drunk, then the sharp replies of his mother, then the bang, bang of his father’s fist on the table, and the nasty snarling shout as the man’s voice got higher. And then the whole was drowned in a piercing medley of shrieks and cries from the great, wind-swept ash-tree... He might hit their mother again. There was a feeling of horror, a kind of bristling in the darkness, and a sense of blood. (Lawrence, pt. 1, ch. 4)
Several elements within this passage warrant consideration, particularly the sensory details of Walter’s behavior. Lawrence employs various tones to depict the fight, where “booming shouts” and a “nasty snarling shout” diversify the battle’s imagery from the children’s perspective. The repetitive onomatopoeia of “bang, bang” animates the sound of fists striking against objects. The concluding sentences signify patriarchal abuse, as a man objectifies his wife’s identity, reducing her to a mere punching bag. This portrayal of domestic violence encapsulates dehumanization, as Gertrude becomes a victim of a man’s uncontrollable anger. Ting Bo emphasizes how the Victorian era influences this stereotypical mindset between genders, where men possess the freedom to make decisions while women remain subservient, labeled as “subordinate of men” (1500). Due to their lack of economic independence, women like Mrs. Morel become victims of modern relationships and prisoners of a patriarchal culture (Bo 1501).
In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Morel, Paul and Miriam’s relationship presents a similar theme. One notable example involves Paul’s interactions with Beatrice. Despite Paul and Miriam’s apparent affair, his frustration over her conservative attitude leads him to seek revenge by displaying flirtatious gestures towards Beatrice. Although he feels guilty for his actions, he admits that he feels glad it “served Miriam right” (Lawrence, pt. 2, ch. 8). This mindset embodies the toxicity of patriarchy, as Paul uses personal grievances to justify his behavior. On Miriam’s side, she submits to his actions for a reason akin to Mrs. Morel’s. She feels compelled to attach herself to Paul, viewing her existence as a self-sacrifice for his desires (Lawrence, pt. 2; ch. 7). Dehumanization manifests through Miriam, as her sacrificial acts diminish her identity, regardless of her pure intentions. Although there is no physical assault involved, Paul’s emotional depravity illustrates the concept, as he uses Beatrice to trivialize Miriam’s existence while she suffers from his actions (Bo 1501). The examples from both relationships underscore patriarchy’s relevance to dehumanization, revealing its toxic nature as detrimental to societal norms.
The Confidant of Capitalism
Another element that intertwines with the theme of dehumanization is capitalism. The Marxist perspective captures the dehumanizing aspects prevalent in working environments, as it centers on the “exploitation of workers [by] the owners [through] the means of production” (Albakrawi and Mahadeen, 60). A significant example occurs between Paul and Mr. Jordan. After Paul faces trouble for his lack of fluency in French, Mr. Jordan transfers him to another department. While Paul attempts to adapt to his new environment, Mr. Jordan continues to torment him with public condemnation: “Then all at once Mr. Jordan snatched away the invoice. ‘Make another! Are you going to send that to a gentleman?’ And he tore up the blue form irritably… ‘Lads learn nothing nowadays, but how to recite poetry and play the fiddle’” (Lawrence, pt. 1, ch. 5). Even as Paul begins to improve in his job, Mr. Jordan finds new ways to criticize him, declaring, “Put your pen in your ear, if you’re going to be a clerk. Pen in your ear!” (Lawrence, pt. 1, ch. 5). Such treatment exemplifies dehumanization through Mr. Jordan’s brutal behavior. Lawrence’s portrayal of the modern workforce illustrates how capitalism alienates humanity, dividing individuals into two categories: the elites and the inferiors (Albakrawi and Mahadeen, 65). As society gravitates toward materialism and social hierarchy, work environments often employ apathetic treatment that deprives the working class of their potential for individual expression.
The setting within the factory further illustrates the extensive exertion placed upon workers. “Paul had made out the invoices. Now he had the packing up and addressing to do, then he had to weigh his stock of parcels on the scales. Everywhere voices were calling weights, there was the chink of metal, the rapid snapping of string, the hurrying to old Mr. Melling for stamps... The day in the factory was just twelve hours long” (Lawrence, pt. 1; ch. 5). This description paints a hectic picture of Paul’s shift, where there seems to be no room for rest until the end of his workday. The sensory details of the workers and equipment reflect the chaotic and strenuous labor endured by the working class. Such extremes in a day’s work signify objectification, as Paul must endure long hours of stressful procedures, only to spend the other half of his day resting, eating, and preparing for work again. Paul’s experience within capitalism is intrinsically linked to dehumanization, as individuals transform “into either machines in the hands of materialism or products stripped of any individual characteristics” (Albakrawi and Mahadeen, 65). Through his journey into the workforce, the dehumanizing aspect reveals the maltreatment of individuals as they succumb to a monotonous routine of suffering.
The Servants of Industrialism
Beyond capitalism, industrialism also contributes to the novel’s dehumanizing aspects. For instance, Walter’s relationship with Gertrude begins as a typical romantic tale, where adoration prevails despite the conflict between working-class and middle-class values. However, their relationship deteriorates when Gertrude becomes disillusioned upon discovering Walter’s unpaid debts (Lawrence, pt. 1, ch. 1). Their bond worsens as Gertrude pressures Walter with expectations stemming from her disappointment: “His nature was purely sensuous, and she strove to make him moral, religious. She tried to force him to face things. He could not endure it—it drove him out of his mind” (Lawrence, pt. 1; ch. 1). This authority derives not only from Mrs. Morel’s unhappiness but also from the expectations rooted in her former life as a bourgeois. Dinesh Kumar posits that the sophisticated values of the middle class influence Gertrude to impose similar standards on Walter, ultimately ruining the love she once held for him after his repeated failures (768). While Walter dehumanizes Mrs. Morel through physical abuse, he too experiences the same treatment through Kumar’s perspective. The modern culture pressures Gertrude to pursue higher living standards, compelling her to impose her beliefs on Walter without considering his need for emotional support after long days of labor as a miner (Kumar 774). Thus, industrialization indirectly affects the Morel relationship, as the wife rationalizes her view of marriage while emotionally destroying their bond in the process.
From another perspective, Lawrence’s industrial imagery illustrates the dehumanization of Paul. At the story's conclusion, Paul grapples with despair following his mother’s death. In fear of losing control, he dismisses this reflection and heads into the city: “But no, he would not give in. Turning sharply, he walked towards the city’s gold phosphorescence. His fists were shut, his mouth set fast. He would not take that direction, to the darkness, to follow her. He walked towards the faintly humming, glowing town, quickly” (Lawrence, pt. 2; ch. 15). Paul’s actions reveal how the industrial world disregards the value of sentimentality. His sharp turn towards the streets signifies his submission to an apathetic culture, where he feels compelled to move on and suppress his emotions. Viewing his mother as a path to darkness suggests a similar pressure placed on Walter, as Paul willingly enters the city to escape her expectations, believing it to be his only option. However, the imagery of the setting conveys a place that does not welcome individualism. Society’s shift towards modernized or industrialized goals “has taken away the freshness and enormity of family bondage,” as Paul ultimately chooses the city’s allure (Chowdhury and Mahmud 216). Dehumanizing aspects manifest through Paul’s body language, resembling a robotic gesture after mourning his mother, thus emphasizing his submission to industrialization (Lawrence, pt. 2; ch. 15). Both Paul and Walter share similar experiences of enslavement to industrialism, as their desire for individuality becomes an unattainable dream. Through the relatable pressures exerted by Mrs. Morel and the elements of industrialization, dehumanization overwhelms Paul and Walter, forcing them to conform to an unyielding world that strips away their essence.
Conclusion
The objectification of others serves as a prominent theme in Lawrence’s narrative, as literary elements illuminate the reasons behind dehumanization in the Morel family’s life. The concept of patriarchy reveals how various facets of masculinity can deprive others of their sense of dominance. Capitalism exemplifies the theme as Paul illustrates the physical and emotional torment faced by the working class. Industrialism plays a fundamental role in the Morel family’s struggles against the pressures of financial and social expectations. These approaches in Lawrence’s narrative underscore the pervasive nature of dehumanization and its impact on the human condition. The modernist elements convey their detrimental role, where the awareness of one’s shortcomings becomes a burden in contemporary society. Ultimately, the characters embodying this notion illustrate how humanity’s relentless pursuit of progress has led to the neglect of its most essential principle: the acknowledgment of our shared humanity.
Works Cited
Albakrawi, Hussein T. and Mutasim Mahadeen. “Marxism and Sons and Lovers.” Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, vol. 3, no. 14, 2013, pp. 60-66.
Bo, Ting. “An Ecofeminist Interpretation of Sons and Lovers.” Theory and Practice in Language Studies, vol. 8, no. 11, 2018, pp. 1499-1503.
Chowdhury, Fariha Ishrat and Sohel Mahmud. “Industrialization and the Disintegration of Family Relationships in David Herbert Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers.” Language in India, vol. 11, 2011, pp. 210-218.
Kumar, Dinesh. “Dehumanization Due to Industrialization in D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers.” International Journal of Research, vol. 1, no. 5, 2014, pp. 766-793.
Lawrence, D.H. Sons and Lovers. Project Gutenberg, 16 Jan 2006, http://www.gutenberg.org/files/217/217-h/217-h.htm. Accessed 06 Jul. 2020.
Luna, Aniuska M. "The Components of Dehumanization." Peace and Conflict Studies, vol. 22, no. 1, 2015, pp. 18-33.
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