In
‘The Horse Dealers Daughter” by D.H Lawrence, we are introduced to a young
woman named Mabel whom is left moneyless after the death of her parents. She is
left to take care of her family’s big house year after year. “For months, Mabel
had been servantless in the big house, keeping the home together in perjury for
her ineffectual brothers. She had kept house for ten years” (Lawrence 480). In
the beginning of the story we learn that Mabel is the only sister and that she
has three brothers. Mabel felt alone in the world without her parents not like
her brothers who didn’t seem to show emotion after they passed away. “The girl
was alone, a rather short, sullen-looking young woman of twenty-seven. She did
not share the same life as her brothers” (Lawrence 477). We find out that this
woman is twenty-seven years old and we get a short description of her physical
appearance, we also learn that she has absolutely nothing in common with her
brothers. Her brothers would say rude comments about her and even describe their
sister Mabel as having a “bulldog” face (477). The only place Mabel felt at
peace was at her mother’s grave site. “There she always felt secure, as if no one
could see her, although as a matter of fact she was exposed to the stare of
everyone who passed along under the church wall. Never-theless once under the
shadow of the great looming church, among the graves, she felt immune from the
world, reserved within the thick churchyard was as in another country” (481). Mabel
lived a very cold, depressing life, she felt a comfort in taking care of mother’s grave site, and this was the one thing for her to look forward to. That is until she meets Jack Fergusson, a
doctor whom professes his love to her. This is not the typical love story
between boy meets girl. This story is more complex. Fergusson also lives a
meaningless life, he too is living his life in a routinely manner. These two
are both lonely and living their lives in a similar way. Lawrence, proves what
a dull, boring, and meaningless life two people without love can live. Without love there is no meaning to life, no reason to live this is how I see it.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteYour explanation of D.H. Lawrence's "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" is clear and very precise. The story tells of a sister who takes on the responsibilities of a failing household while her brothers mock and ridicule her. As the story begins it is hard to visualize any love between siblings whom have lost their parents. "They talked at her and round her for so many years, that she hardley heard them at all" (Lawrence 478). My opinion is that the story initially focuses on the lack of love and respect between siblings. Mabel displayed loyalty, which can be interpreted as a form of love for her family, even though her sister left the family behind. "Mabel had no associates of her own sex, after her sister went away" (Lawrence 480). Though Mabel appears lonely, her fear of being poor and the pride that she shares with her siblings is the overwhelming factor in her quest for love. Mabel's love of money and her fear of being poor acts as the catalyst that leads her to pursue Fergusson . "She suffered badly during the period of poverty" (Lawrence 481). Love blossoms in this story due to the fact that both Mabel and Fergusson are drowning in their own personal lives; he with his tireless life as a doctor, "Fergusson, being a mere hired assistant, was a slave to the countryside" (Lawrence 481). Mabel, on the other hand, carried the burdens of the family, being the caretaker, when all she ever wanted was to fulfill her dreams and be glorified like her mother had become in death. Mabel's vulnerabilty is eviden when she pleads to Fergusson "You love me. I know you love me, I know!" (Lawrence 484).