Beetles. Apparently they are the epitome of all that is vile based on the metaphors D.H. Lawrence has used throughout the book to describe the worst of characters and situations. He begins the novel with a quote from Gurun claiming she "felt like a beetle toiling in the dust. She was filled with repulsion." Both Loerke and Mademoiselle are described as "beetle-like"and they are arguably two of the worst characters in the novel. The example that stands out the most however is the Pussum's dialogue, with Birkin about her hatred of black-beetles.
"If I see one, it gives me the creeps all over. If one were to crawl on me, I'm sure I should die I'm sure I should."
Although the beetle is almost always shown in an unfavorable light, the characteristics he is choosing to represent with the beetle vary. When describing the African statue the "knowledge in dissolution and corruption" is the trait that related to the beetle. When describing Mademoiselle however, it is her "completeness and finality" that he finds repulsive. The most interesting reference though is,
"A chronometer watch-a beetle-her soul fainted with utter ennui, from the thought."
Now the beetle is mechanical, and its precision and repetitive nature are the repulsive characteristics.
While the idea of insects as representations of vileness and evil is in no way a new metaphor, the specificity of the beetle throughout the novel is an interesting choice. Out of all the insects, the beetle actually seems like one of the least worrisome and is nowhere near the most disgusting. The use of the beetle as the source of the misery and disgust in Kafka's metamorphosis, which was written at almost the same time, makes me wonder what was going on in early 20th century Europe that made them hate the beetle.
Beetles in the air, as it were. Lawrence didn't know Kafka, but it's an intriguing comparison.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you mention the beetles, Brad, because it's a repeated element I don't know what to do with. There's a famous letter of Lawrence's in which he talks of meeting several members of the Apostles, a secret society at Cambridge filled with talented men (like the philosopher Bertrand Russell and the economist John Maynard Keynes), many of whom were gay. Meeting these men, he says, made him dream of black beetles.
For whatever that's worth.