Men Who Have Been Striving Up

David ? Herbert Lawrence(1885-1930) is a British writer with a unique style in the late 19 th century and early 20 th century. With his delicate writing style, unique perspective and innovative way of thinking, Lawrence created a wealth of characters, showed the real and vivid human characteristics. In his representative novels Sons and Lovers, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley’s Lover, male characters of various characteristics show different masculinities. Based on Cornell’s theories on masculinities, this paper analyzes the masculinities and the changing process embodied in male characters; sorts out masculinities return process and methods. Analysis shows that, in Lawrence’s early creation, masculinities were weakened and even marginalized in the context of the prevailing industrial civilization, male dominance since ancient times lost. However, some men had got the awareness and desire for masculinities return; in the middle stage of Lawrence’s creation, return of masculinities experienced tortuous attempts and efforts. There were both failure and success. It was active exploration of masculinities return; by the late creation stage, masculinities successfully returned. Male dominance was re-established. Men achieved a comprehensive elevation of soul and body and became complete.Chapter one is about the background information of this paper, including the social background of Lawrence’s literary creation, Lawrence’s life and major creative styles. This chapter also reviews the research status of Lawrence and his works both abroad and at home, summarizes the existing research results and states the significance of this study. Chapter two builds the theoretical foundation of this paper, which introduces relative theories on masculinities of theorists from both abroad and at home, discusses in detail the main theoretical basis of this paper – Connell’s theories on masculinities, sorts out the basic characteristics of the four types of masculinities, and puts forward the possibilities of masculinities return. Chapter three elaborates the characteristics and return process of masculinities of main male characters in Lawrence’s three representative novels--- Sons and Lovers, Women in Love and Lady Chatterley’s Lover. In chapter four, the return methods and reasons of masculinities are discussed. Chapter five is the conclusion of main ideas and meanings of this paper. From the decline of masculinities to the awakening of masculinities return awareness, after tortuous exploration and unremitting efforts, until the successful return of masculinities, male characters that Lawrence created in different stages fully reflect the characteristics of four types of masculinities in Connell’s theories, verify the possibilities of pursuing the ideal masculinity.