D.H Lawrence’s Specific Use of Symbolism in The Virgin and The Gipsy
In the book The Virgin and the Gipsy, the author D. H. Lawrence uses symbols so often that, it is almost impossible to read even one page without realizing one. Because the nature of the symbols vary from writer to writer, it is important to see how he uses them in order to explain the story more effectively. Their connection and congruity with the central idea which again refers to the inherent character of the symbols and the techniques he uses to express them is unbelievable. As we see the title of the book, it is a usual question to think about: “Why would an author choose the word virgin to use in the title?” This, points out that, symbols and especially their meaning and usage will occupy a big portion of our brain throughout the process of the reading. The uncertainty about if the gipsy and Yvette have been together at the end of the book may lead us to considering the word as an irony, a symbol or a foreshadowing. Lawrence also gives the characteristics and the true impressions of the other people by using some symbols such as an old toad for Granny and the rector as the representation of the corrupted and degenerated authority and the flood as the purification mechanism of the thoughts and feelings of past in addition to the concept of “virginity”
The virginity is one of the greatest symbols in the book as it applies both to the characteristics of Yvette and the relationship between the gipsy and her. The word virginity means unimpacted and intact purity. Because of Yvette’s true feelings which result in her naïve characteristics and behavior, she still has the magical protection shield from the harms of the outer world. That is the actual reason why she is called “the virgin”. In addition to this, she likes the situation she is actually in. She is isolated from the difficulties of life; she still does not know what the real life tastes like. As she says “Get engaged, to any man on earth? No, good heavens, nothing more ridiculous could be imagined!” (74), she is trying to express how happily she can live under the circumstances of being a virgin and therefore away from the real dangers of the world. The irony appears when we think about the end of the book with connection to the title. As I have mentioned before, it is not clear if she has been together with the gipsy or not. However, the reader stills feels in a way that he has to question the title of the book. This brings the issue and the question of Yvette’s being a virgin (in sexual meaning) or not to the surface. Therefore, we can see the ironic perspective of the smartly used word “virgin”. As we consider the relationship between Yvette and the gipsy, how free it is from any sinister or improper motives, makes it as pure (and virgin) as possible.
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Another important symbol is the toad. This one is used for Granny for first of all being old. Because toads live longer than most of the other frogs, this reasonable usage of age issue can be thought in perspective of being the owner of the throne therefore the main authority in the family. Granny is so old that she cannot do much more than sitting beside the fire and telling others to do their job. Aunt Cissie is more than a daughter to him but actually a servant. Granny rules the family with her help. It is also interesting that although she is so old, she keeps putting her nose into all other business in the house. The way in which she talks about who-she-was-Cynthia “We don’t come of half-depraved stock” (59) makes the girls angry especially Lucille. As a result while keeping her hand on everything she also makes them worse. She drives the situation into a deeper level that it would not be easy to get back to sunlight and presence. On the other hand, her power is not sufficient nor enough to make the girls behave in the way she wishes although she has the most powerful figure in the family. The new generation gets more and more away from the older ones to live their own lives in complete freedom. Before the girls set off to their trip with the boys, Granny wants them to take a message to Lady Louth; however, they refuse to do so. The influence of the master on the others has not been so affective this time. Also at the end of the chapter two, Yvette hears the gardener grumbling after killing the toad: “’Appen the art good for th’ snails. But tha ‘rt none goin’ter emp’y th’ bee’-ive into thy guts.” (25) What the gardener here saying is actually that he will not let the toad eat the bee after the snails. This situation corresponds to the relationships and type of characters in the family. Although Granny has her influence and power on Aunt Cissie, she cannot manage to control the young girls Yvette and Lucille.
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In addition to these, the rector symbolizes corrupted authority. Although he still is the rector and makes the last decisions about the town, his authority in the house does not seem strong enough. It is actually ineffective, that he could not prevent She-who-was-Cynthia from running away. He adored her for a long time. “Let the white sunflower bloom inaccessible on the heights of the past.”(7) clearly shows how important she used to be for him By that time, his ability to contravene with her was weakened because of the great love he felt for her. He should not have made himself that weak against her. This important mistake was the beginning the process of his authority’s collapse and breakup. People respect him only because of his rank. However, now as a rector, he does not have any power in the house, on the nonchalant behavior of his daughters and any effect on their lives. This authority, which is ruined in quality, of the rector, who seems ruined in character, show what the position of this kind of a father is in this type of a family.
The big flood at the end where the actual climax appears, functions as a filter of all undesirable events, adventures and feelings that Yvette has experienced throughout the time she has spent with the gipsy. This may be considered as a crazy encountering of some risks in the young years. At the end, Yvette has learned about facing the difficulties of life and fighting against them. As it was said in the prophecy “Be braver in your body, or your luck will leave you. Listen for the voice of water.” (122) she actually needed to purify her life in order to understand how real life is. The flood was the cleaner of all thoughts and feelings of her about the past and her relationship with the gipsy. Although it took Granny, it gave Yvette a lot more then what she cared about her. She realized the different aspects of human characteristics by gaining qualities for the big test: life. As Aunt Cissie says “Let the old be taken and the young be spared. I can’t cry for the Mater, now Yvette is spared” (144), Yvette is now ready to face to the reality. Therefore, the flood made her much more mature, prepared in mind and disposition to face some difficulties and purified her from ambiguous and complicated thoughts and feelings. It functioned as a symbol of vacuum cleaner that gave Yvette more important responsibilities and a broad understanding of life.
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As a result, these symbols are the ones that were obviously seen throughout the work. With The Virgin and the Gipsy, D.H. Lawrence uses symbols to signify the main central idea which is the virginity’s and therefore Yvette’s being away from difficulties of life and her little experience’s giving her a lesson of life. It is for sure that, there are a lot more symbols in the book. In short, Lawrence’s usage of symbolism shows itself in the connections to central idea and the figures they specifically refer to. Lawrence uses symbols, which are pearls of figurative language, as golden keys to extended meaning, and especially “virginity” as the most connected one to the central theme.
