“Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence: Analysis

Introduction: “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

“Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence, published in 1911, explores themes of death, loss, and isolation in the context of a coal mining community in England. Despite its initial lack of popularity, the story has since become recognized as a masterpiece of modernist literature, celebrated for its vivid portrayal of working-class life and its subtle exploration of the complexities of human relationships. Using a powerful and evocative style, Lawrence draws readers into the world of his characters, offering a poignant meditation on the fragility of life and the enduring power of grief. With its powerful themes and masterful prose, “Odour of Chrysanthemums” remains a beloved and enduring work of modernist literature, showcasing Lawrence’s unparalleled talent as a writer and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience with remarkable precision and depth.

Main Events in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

1. Elizabeth Bates waits anxiously for her husband, Walter, to return home from his shift at the coal mine. Her young children play noisily, and she chastises them while her thoughts drift to her frustrations with Walter.
2. Elizabeth’s father, a train engine driver, arrives for his nightly cup of tea. He shares rumors of Walter’s drinking habits and how he squanders much of his wages.
3. Elizabeth reflects on her cold, distant marriage to Walter. She recalls the births of their children and how his drinking had previously led to domestic conflict.
4. News arrives that Walter has been killed in a mining accident. Elizabeth reacts with a strange detachment and focuses on practical tasks rather than grieving.
5. Walter’s mother, Mrs. Bates, arrives, sharing Elizabeth’s grief and offering to assist with preparations for Walter’s return.
6. Elizabeth resents Mrs. Bates’ presence and insists on preparing Walter’s body herself. She rejects traditional help from family and neighbors.
7. Neighbors bring Walter’s body home, and Elizabeth begins the ritual of washing it alone. She observes his physical form with newfound appreciation, seeing his beauty and strength in death.
8. Elizabeth experiences a profound moment of emotional connection with Walter, finally acknowledging the depth of her love for him and the magnitude of her loss.
9. Mrs. Bates enters and disrupts Elizabeth’s intimate moment, introducing a sense of intrusion upon her private grief.
10. Elizabeth feels alienated from her mother-in-law and resents the return to the ordinary tasks associated with death.
11. Elizabeth dresses Walter’s body and locks the bedroom door, shutting out the external world and seeking solitude in her grief.
12. Elizabeth returns to the routine of household tasks, still numb but starting to process her new reality as a widow.
13. Elizabeth feels a wave of exhaustion wash over her as she realizes the impact of Walter’s death and the challenges facing her as a single mother.
14. Elizabeth tries to comfort her crying son, realizing her role as the remaining constant in her children’s lives.
15. The story concludes with Elizabeth staring at the chrysanthemums, left over from Walter’s aborted homecoming, symbolizing her unresolved feelings and uncertain future.

Literary Devices in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

Allusion:

• Title: “Odour of Chrysanthemums”: Chrysanthemums are traditionally associated with death and mourning, subtly foreshadowing the tragic events that unfold.

Imagery:

• “The darkening garden was full of leaves fluttering and falling softly into the shadows”: Creates a melancholic atmosphere, reflecting Elizabeth’s inner turmoil and hinting at the fading of life.
• “The still, cold candle-flame was the source… of her strange, short cries”: The flickering candlelight visually mirrors Elizabeth’s fragile emotional state.

Irony:

• Walter’s Death on Anniversary: His death on what should have been a celebratory occasion emphasizes the unpredictable and cruel nature of fate.
• Elizabeth’s Transformation: Elizabeth’s initial detachment contrasts with the profound love she rediscovers towards Walter in death.

Metaphor:

• “The flame of the candle was a living thing, creeping and swaying in the draught”: The flame becomes a metaphor for Walter’s life, flickering, and vulnerable to outside forces.
• “… a strong and vigorous man whom nobody had destroyed”: In death, Walter’s body reveals a physical beauty absent during his life, metaphorically highlighting the wasted potential of their relationship.

Personification:

• “The wind was moaning” : This example of pathetic fallacy reflects Elizabeth’s deep sorrow, projecting her emotions onto the natural world.

Point of View:

• Third-Person Omniscient: The narrator has access to Elizabeth’s inner thoughts and emotions, providing a nuanced understanding of her complex feelings and reactions.

Repetition:

• “The pit, the pit, the pit”: Emphasizes the omnipresent danger of the mines and the constant threat to the community’s way of life.

Simile:

• “Her voice sounded like the voice of a woman who was dead”: This comparison emphasizes Elizabeth’s initial numbness and emotional disconnect following the news of Walter’s death.

Symbolism:

• The Chrysanthemums: Represent both the death of Walter and Elizabeth’s conflicted feelings towards their marriage.
• The Washbasin: Transforms from an ordinary object into a symbol of ritual cleansing, and ultimately of Elizabeth’s emotional and spiritual renewal.

Foreshadowing:

• Walter’s Repeatedly Described as “Black”: This hints at his association with the dark coal mines and foreshadows his tragic demise.

Setting:

• Coal-Mining Community: The bleak, industrial setting underscores the harsh realities of life and death faced by the working-class characters.

Tone:

• Somber & Reflective: The story’s overall tone reflects themes of loss, grief, and the complexities of human relationships.

Characterization in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

Major Characters:

• Elizabeth Bates: The protagonist, Elizabeth is a complex, emotionally guarded woman. Initially, she seems distant from her husband, frustrated by his drinking habits and the harsh realities of their life (“If it was not for the children, she would clear out…”). Yet, she is fundamentally dutiful, patiently awaiting Walter, tending the house, and caring for the children. Her emotional transformation after his death is profound. Washing Walter’s body, she rediscovers connection and tenderness (“She had thought him ugly, not knowing he was manly”) and experiences deeply-felt grief. This inner shift contrasts her outwardly practical demeanor and her conflict with Mrs. Bates, highlighting Elizabeth’s private journey of grief and reconciliation.
•  Walter Bates: Walter’s character is primarily revealed through Elizabeth’s memories and her observations of his corpse. He is depicted as absent and unreliable in life, his drinking a source of tension (“…and once he had had to come home on a stretcher… the first time they ever brought him home drunk”). However, in death, Elizabeth is struck by his physical strength and latent beauty (“a strong and vigorous man whom nobody had destroyed”). This reveals a tragic dimension to their relationship, suggesting unfulfilled potential and adding depth to Elizabeth’s grief.
• John Bates: Elizabeth and Walter’s young son, John provides a child’s perspective on death and loss. His confusion and questions (“My father’s a collier, isn’t he, mother?” “But what is he a collier for?” ) emphasize the fragility of his understanding and the story’s wider exploration of the impact of the dangerous mining work on families.

Minor Characters:

• Mother (Mrs. Bates): Walter’s mother is a conventional figure. She immediately assumes a practical role, comforting Elizabeth and demonstrating traditional mourning practices. However, her presence inadvertently disrupts Elizabeth’s intimate connection with Walter’s body. This underscores Elizabeth’s desire for solitude in her grief and contrasting ways of processing loss.
• Neighbors, Miners, and Women: These groups represent the wider mining community. While their actions can seem impersonal (“Someone from the yard called at the back door to ask if the master had come home yet”), their rituals of support and shared mourning highlight the pervasive impact of the ever-present risk of death in this working-class world.
• Lizzie, Thomas, and the Baby: These characters highlight Elizabeth’s role as a mother. Her responsibilities towards her children continue despite her grief, illustrating the tension between her internal emotional world and her external duties.

Major Themes in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

Death and Loss

• Walter’s Death: The central event, Walter’s death in the mines, underlines the ever-present danger and harsh reality faced by the working-class community (“The pit, the pit, the pit!”).

• ·  Elizabeth’s Grief: Her complex emotional journey is the heart of the story. From initial detachment (“the thing was dead, that she had known as her husband”) to a powerful rediscovery of love while washing his body (“her heart was a burning pain”) to a sense of isolation (“She loathed the man who dared come near”).
• Symbolism of Darkness: Elizabeth’s world gradually descends into darkness, from the “darkening garden” at the beginning to her final act of locking herself in the bedroom, a symbolic representation of her grief.

·  Motherhood

• Resilience and Sacrifice: Elizabeth’s continued care for her children even amidst devastating grief exemplifies a mother’s resilience. Scenes of bathing and feeding the children contrast with her private emotional turmoil.
• The Unborn Child: Mrs. Bates expresses worry about the unborn child’s well-being, underscoring the impact of Walter’s death on future generations and the cycle of hardship faced by families in this community.
• John’s Questions: The son’s innocent questions (“But what is he a collier for?”) reveal a child’s struggle to comprehend death, emphasizing both the harsh realities of their lives and the protection of childhood innocence.

·  Industrialization and Social Class

• Setting: The bleak coal-mining community setting highlights the harsh lives of working-class families.
• The Mines as a Threat: Repeated mentions of “the pit” underscore the constant danger for these men and the community’s reliance on a dangerous occupation for survival.
• Walter’s Drinking: His drinking habit hints at limited options for leisure and escape from a grueling working life.

·  Isolation and Loneliness

• Elizabeth’s Emotional Distance: Her initial coldness towards Walter’s death suggests emotional detachment, built upon a history of disconnection in their relationship (“They had been so silent in their lives…”).
• Barriers to Connection: Despite neighborly support, Elizabeth feels isolated in her grief. The conflict with Mrs. Bates, while washing Walter’s body, reveals contrasting ways of mourning and Elizabeth’s desire for solitude.
• Nature as Reflection: The darkening garden and moaning wind reflect Elizabeth’s internal turmoil and sense of being cut off from the world.

Writing Style in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence’s writing style in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” is characterized by his use of vivid and sensory language, as well as his attention to detail and psychological depth. Lawrence’s prose is highly descriptive and often employs symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meaning. The author’s use of sensory language helps to create a strong sense of place, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story’s setting. The story’s narrative structure is also noteworthy, as Lawrence uses a nonlinear timeline to convey the psychological state of his characters. This approach allows the reader to experience the story’s events in a fragmented and disorienting way, mirroring the emotional state of the characters. Overall, Lawrence’s writing style is highly evocative and nuanced, allowing him to explore complex themes and ideas with subtlety and depth.

Literary Theories and Interpretation of “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

Theoretical Lens	Analysis Focus	Possible Interpretations
Marxist Criticism	* Social Class and Oppression: * Examines the harsh realities of working-class life within the capitalist system.	* The mines symbolize an exploitative system where workers risk their lives for the benefit of the upper class. * Walter’s drinking could be seen as a symptom of the limited options for leisure and escape under the oppressive conditions of his labor. * Elizabeth’s struggles to provide for her family highlight the economic disadvantages faced by women and dependents of working-class men.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	* Unconscious Desires & Repression: * Explores the character’s inner emotional landscapes and underlying psychological motivations.	* Elizabeth’s initial detachment from her husband’s death could suggest repressed emotions stemming from their troubled marriage. * The transformative act of washing Walter’s body could be interpreted as a subconscious unlocking of her suppressed love and grief. * The conflict with Mrs. Bates might highlight Elizabeth’s unconscious struggle for control and agency within traditional mourning rituals.
Feminist Criticism	* Gender Roles & Social Expectations:* Analyzes the story’s portrayal of women, power dynamics, and societal limitations.	* Elizabeth’s role as a mother highlights female strength, resilience, and the challenges of balancing caretaking duties with deep personal grief. * The conflict between Elizabeth and Mrs. Bates can be seen as a struggle between traditional expectations of female behavior and Elizabeth’s assertion of autonomy in her grief process. * The story could be interpreted as offering a critique of the limited roles and opportunities available to women in this era and social class.
Postcolonial Criticism	* Legacy of Colonialism* : Examines the potential lingering impact of colonialism and imperialism on individuals, communities, and social structures.	* England’s industrial boom, symbolized by the coal mines, can be linked to resource extraction and exploitation inherent in colonial systems. * The story’s focus on a working-class community could reveal lingering power imbalances that are a consequence of past colonial systems. * The limited opportunities and harsh conditions faced by the miners might be interpreted as connected to a history of systemic disadvantage ingrained by colonialism.

Questions and Thesis Statements about “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

• How does Lawrence use symbolism to explore the theme of death and rebirth in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?
• Thesis statement: Through his use of symbolic imagery such as the chrysanthemums and the darkness of the pit, Lawrence explores the cyclical nature of life and death, and suggests that rebirth can only occur through facing the reality of mortality.
• In what ways does Lawrence use narrative structure to convey the psychological state of his characters in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?Thesis statement: Lawrence’s use of a nonlinear timeline mirrors the fragmented and disorienting emotional state of the characters, highlighting the tension and emotional distance between Elizabeth and Walter.
• How does the theme of gender roles and expectations manifest in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?
• Thesis statement: Lawrence portrays Elizabeth as a strong and resilient mother who must navigate the limitations placed on her by her gender and social position, and suggests that the rigid gender roles of the time contributed to the emotional distance between her and Walter.
• How does Lawrence use descriptive language to create a sense of place in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?
• Thesis statement: Through his use of vivid sensory language and attention to detail, Lawrence creates a rich and immersive sense of place, evoking the sights, sounds, and smells of the coal mining community.

Short Question-Answer about “Odour of Chrysanthemum” by D.H. Lawrence

1. What is the significance of the title “Odour of Chrysanthemums” in the story?

• Symbol of Death: Chrysanthemums are traditionally associated with death and mourning. Their presence in the title immediately signals the themes of mortality and grief within the story.
• Sensory Detail: The word “odour” evokes a potent sensory experience, subtly foreshadowing the visceral and overpowering emotional journey Elizabeth undertakes when faced with Walter’s corpse.
• Lingering Presence: The chrysanthemums brought home for Walter become an ever-present reminder of his death. Their scent haunts Elizabeth, symbolizing her unresolved feelings of loss and the enduring nature of grief.

2. How does the character of Walter embody the theme of masculinity in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?

• Physical Strength: Walter is repeatedly described as physically strong and imposing (“… a large, rather heavy man…”). This aligns with traditional masculine ideals of power and dominance.
• The Breadwinner: His role as a coal miner emphasizes his position as the provider for his family, fulfilling a masculine duty. Yet, his drinking hints at an internal struggle with the harsh demands of this type of labor.
• Emotional Detachment: Walter’s emotional distance from Elizabeth and his family underscores a stoic and repressive view of masculinity, where vulnerability is seen as weakness.
• Tragic Demise: His death in the mines ironically highlights the fragility of his physical strength and the destructive potential of a masculinity bound solely by physicality.

3. What is the role of the natural world in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?

• Reflection of Inner Turmoil: Images of darkness, cold winds, and fluttering leaves mirror Elizabeth’s emotional state, creating a sense of pathetic fallacy and emphasizing the interplay between the external world and internal experience.
• Contrast to Industrial Setting: The natural world provides a counterpoint to the bleak and often dangerous industrial setting of the mining town. This evokes the cyclical nature of life and death, suggesting a power beyond the man-made world.
• Symbolism: Specific natural elements hold symbolic meaning. The flickering candle flame mirrors the fragility of life; the garden represents Elizabeth’s internal world, its darkness signaling her growing despair.

4. How does Lawrence use foreshadowing to create tension in “Odour of Chrysanthemums”?

• Repetitive References to the Mines: Constant mentions of “the pit” underscore the ever-present danger and highlight the sense of impending tragedy in the story.
• Darkness and Absence: The gathering darkness of the evening and Walter’s prolonged absence foreshadow his eventual fate.
• Symbolic Sounds: The ominous, far-off sound of the train whistle is a recurring motif, hinting at the disruption of the ordinary and the arrival of devastating news.
• Elizabeth’s Premonition: Elizabeth remarks that Walter would likely “drink himself daft” if given half a chance – this foreshadows that something tragic stemming from his drinking may befall him.

Literary Works Similar to “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

1. Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence: This semi-autobiographical novel explores the intense and often fraught relationship between a mother and her sons within a mining community. Like “Odour of Chrysanthemums,” it delves into themes of class conflict, familial bonds, and the struggle for personal fulfillment in the face of societal constraints.
2. The Dubliners by James Joyce: This short story collection offers a series of vignettes capturing the lives of ordinary people in Dublin. Joyce masterfully portrays the emotional complexities of his characters, often revealing unspoken desires, regrets, and moments of personal revelation. The sense of entrapment felt by some characters mirrors Elizabeth’s conflicted feelings in “Odour of Chrysanthemums.”
3. Germinal by Émile Zola: A seminal work of French naturalism, this novel unflinchingly depicts the harsh realities of life in a 19th-century French coal-mining community. Zola’s focus on the brutal working conditions, the plight of the working class, and the potential for social unrest resonates with themes explored in Lawrence’s story.
4. A Room with a View by E.M. Forster: While set in a different social class, this novel explores the restrictions placed on women and the search for personal freedom. Like Elizabeth, the protagonist, Lucy Honeychurch, must navigate societal expectations, romantic entanglements, and her own internal desires to create a fulfilling life.
5. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: This epic American novel chronicles the Joad family’s struggles during the Great Depression, their forced migration, and their fight for survival in a hostile world. The themes of hardship, resilience, and the profound impact of economic disadvantage connect it to Lawrence’s portrayal of working-class life.

Suggested Readings: “Odour of Chrysanthemums” by D.H. Lawrence

Scholarly Articles

• Gammel, Irene. “‘Woman as Bomb’: The Deployment of Sexuality in D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Odour of Chrysanthemums’.” Études Lawrenciennes , no. 19, 2002, pp. 71-83. (Examines gender roles and sexuality within the story)
• Wortham, Simon Morgan. “D.H. Lawrence and ‘Odour of Chrysanthemums’: The Representation of a Working-Man’s Death.” Critical Survey, vol. 7, no. 1, 1975, pp. 58–67. (Focuses on the depiction of class and societal expectations)
• Balbert, Peter. D.H. Lawrence and the Phallic Imagination: Essays on ‘The Rainbow’ and ‘Women in Love’. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1989. (While focused on larger works, includes insightful analysis applicable to the short story)

Websites and Online Resources

• The D.H. Lawrence Society of North America: Offers resources, articles, and information about upcoming conferences related to Lawrence’s work. ([invalid URL removed])
• Project Gutenberg: Provides free access to the complete text of “Odour of Chrysanthemums.” (https://www.gutenberg.org/)