as
they both wish to steer away casually agree to go to the
wedding. Right after this, we know Ursula identifies with
Gudrun's claustrophobia in Beldover and 'can feel her
suffering'.
At the wedding, we begin to see some difference of
opinion. Gudrun insists 'one must discriminate'
between people who are exceptional and 'little fools',
while Ursula seems compelled to agree with her, even when
she was not 'in accord altogether'.
As the story progresses in the next few chapters, we find
that Ursula is a rather nave, unpretentious character
who sees beauty in subtlety, and for whom acquiring
knowledge is not an insufferable quest. At this point she
has a dichotomous existence, one part hating Birkin, the
other sensing 'liberty and radiance', and clearly she is
confused about how she feels about the afternoon in the
classroom.
Contrast this with Gudrun's character: she is somewhat
rebellious in nature, and questions the rights and
liberties the norms of society allow her (when she is
envious of men that they can throw their clothes off and
jump into the water whenever they like). She also comes
across as the kind of woman who wishes to control and
wield power over the man she is attracted to, she also
knows it is easy for her to achieve this, considering her
beauty and (seemingly convincing) confidence. For her,
not being able to wield power over the object of her
affection would be like a failure. Gudrun seems to be
unconsciously calculative, and strong headed, but she
does display honesty in all that she feels. She is
probably as confused as Ursula, but in different matters
- regarding why she is where she is rather than who she
is.
In 'Diver', we see the sisters in disagreement over the
nature of Gerald Crich's intentions when he pulled the
trigger at his brother's head. Gudrun, I think,
intuitively defends Gerald Crich while Ursula does not
seem to do so. In addition, Ursula does not quite
understand why her sister sometimes has rebellious
tendencies or what triggers them off. However, by the end
of the chapter they seem to conform to the idea of
standing as 'swans between geese' since the unspoken
opinion between them is that they are above the usual
milieu of people in a strange way, which they have not
yet discovered.
In 'Coal Dust', we see the dichotomy in their opinions
again. Gudrun is enamoured and captivated by Gerald's
performance on the horse as much as Ursula is repulsed by
it. Gudrun loves Gerald for the same while Ursula is
livid at his treatment of the horse and hates him. This
highlights another personality difference - Ursula is
sensitive of other people's feelings and respects them,
even if they are below her level, while Gudrun craves
power and control over every possible being - man or
horse. This is probably why Gudrun is fascinated by
Gerald - because he embodies her innate quest for power
over others. Ursula is diametrically opposite - she
abhors this.
On love, the sisters' views are quite different too.
Ursula gives Birkin the chance to express himself, argues
with him and initially disagrees with him because she
cannot understand his quest for 'freedom together'.
However as their relationship develops and goes through
its highs and lows, they finally find each other, and she
is ready to 'surrender' to him, in the figurative sense.
Gudrun, however, seems to give the impression of
commitment to Gerald even though she is quite unsure of
herself. This can be best seen when she finally strays
away from him and has an affair with another artist,
Loerke, whom she thinks will appreciate her now reformed
and clear perspective in life. Gerald ultimately cannot
accept this and commits suicide. It is clear that the
sisters' views on fidelity also differ.
The last word on love, however, is seen in the chapter 'Moony'
when Birkin comes to propose to Ursula. She does not
reply immediately, probably on account of the row with
her father. At this point, she feels in accord with
Gudrun, when it comes to both of them against their
father and his ideology. But the crucial turning point in
their relationship is when Ursula and Gudrun discuss
Birkin's proposal. Initially, Ursula agrees with Gudrun,
then as the conversation progresses she finds herself
beginning to disagree and finally begins 'to revolt form
her sister'. This happens when she realises Gudrun does
not see people beyond her perspective, and has, in a
matter of a few sentences, managed to cross out Birkin
completely - 'This finality of Gudrun's, this dispatching
of people and things in a sentence, was such a lie'. This
is where Ursula makes the decision to wed Birkin, in one
sense going against Gudrun and from this point their
relationship begins to move on two different tracks and
they come to identify less with each other and more with
their lovers.
The final chapter of the story also highlights their
differing views on life, love and new beginnings. Ursula
and Birkin are getting ready to leave. Ursula and Gudrun
have perhaps, their last meaningful conversation. Gudrun
cannot understand why Ursula needs to sever her ties from
everyone else. Ursula tries to explain to her, but
finally ends up telling Gudrun that if she fell in love
she would understand. This for Gudrun, seem to be the
ultimate mockery of everything between them, and their
ties are more or less severed then. There is an air of
finality in this scene of the book. The last straw is
Gudrun's emotionless and frigid response to Gerald's
death. This is when Ursula realises that not only does
she disagree with her sister, she is disgusted by her
behaviour.
Thus, in Gudrun and Ursula, D. H. Lawrence has created
two memorable characters, who while being related and
seemingly similar, grow into two diametrically opposite
personalities.
© Nitya Bakshi, June 2005
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