Subversion of Human Relation in Lawrence's The White Peacock

Abstract

This research paper examines how fear of intimacy subverts human relation in Lawrence's The White Peacock. Characters like Lettie, George, Leslie and Meg have this sort of fear and cannot come close to each other throughout their life which subverts their relation and make them alienated. This paper carries the idea of Sara Ahmed and Sigmund Freud who argue that each individual has fear of intimacy but the degree may vary. Human have such fear either to secure the relation or they think emotional closeness will hurt them and it is better to maintain distance with others. Most of the characters in this novel try to avoid even their sexual partners and try to make more sexual partners to maintain the distance with their partner. Thus, it is concluded that all human beings have fear of intimacy and it subverts human relation.