Symbolism in The Virgin and The Gipsy by D.H Lawrence
Uploaded by esalihm on May 31, 2006
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...