Class 12 English — Chapter 17: Why the Novel Matters

What you'll learn

• ▸The Concept of 'Man Alive'
• ▸Rejection of Mind-Body Dualism
• ▸Critique of Philosophy, Science, and Religion
• ▸The Superiority of the Novel
• ▸The Novel's Effect on the 'Whole Man'
• ▸Concept of 'Tremulations on the Ether'
• ▸Rejection of Absolutes and Fixed Identity
• ▸The Novelist's Perspective on Life

Chapter Summary

--- PAGE 1 --- 12076CH17 Why the Novel Matters 4 D.H. Lawrence 1885-1930 D.H. Lawrence was born in a coal-mining town. He was the son of an uneducated miner and an ambitious mother who was a teacher. His wife was German, and the couple lived, at various times, in Italy, Germany, Australia, Tahiti and Mexico. Lawrence's writings reflect a revolt against puritanism, mediocrity and the dehumanisation of an industrial society. We have curious ideas of ourselves. We think of ourselves as a body with a spirit in it, or a body with a soul in it, or a body with a mind in it. *Mens sana in corpore sano*. The years drink up the wine, and at last throw the bottle away, the body, of course, being the bottle. It is a funny sort of superstition. Why should I look at my hand, as it so cleverly writes these words, and decide that it is a mere nothing compared to the mind that directs it? Is there really any huge difference between my hand and my brain? Or my mind? My hand is alive, it flickers w…

Practice Questions from this Chapter

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1. Explain body functions simply. Get Solution →
2. Recommend surprising novels. Get Solution →
3. Describe life's amazing processes. Get Solution →
4. According to the introductory text, D.H. Lawrence's writings reflect a revolt against what aspects of society? Get Solution →
5. What does Lawrence call the philosophical ideas, messages, or teachings that are communicated through the air? Get Solution →
6. Lawrence states that he is a novelist because he considers himself superior to which three professions? Get Solution →
7. How does Lawrence describe the novel in relation to life? Get Solution →
8. Which three works or authors does Lawrence cite as examples of 'supreme old novels'? Get Solution →

Did you know?

• 💡 Your brain generates enough power to light a small bulb.
• 💡 The human body replaces almost all its cells every seven to ten years.
• 💡 Fingerprints are unique patterns that never change throughout life.
• 💡 The world's longest novel has over 13 million words.
• 💡 All life on Earth relies on the sun's energy.

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