D. H. Lawrence’s Language of Sacred Experience: The Transfiguration of the Reader

Burack, C.

This book demonstrates how D.H. Lawrence's prophetic ambitions impelled him to create novels that would radically transform the consciousness of his readers. Charles Burack argues that Lawrence's major novels, beginning with The Rainbow , are structured as religious initiation rites that attempt to break down the reader's normative mindset and to evoke new, numinous experiences of self and world. Through careful analysis of narrative structure, literary technique, and sacred discourses, Burack shows that Lawrence tries to initiate the reader into his own version of religious vitalism. Unlike most initiations that conclude with powerful affirmations, Lawrence's novels generally end with an attempt to subvert the formation of new religious dogmas and to encourage sacred-erotic exploration.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2005-11-15

Format: Paperback

ISBN-13: 9781349530670

DOI: 10.1057/9781403978240

Dimensions: 216cm x140cm

Pages: 206