Styrnik N. ShortStories by D. H. Lawrence: Themes, Motifs andGenre Strategies

The research focuses on the short stories of D. H. Lawrence, one of the most controversial writers of the early 20th century, whose creative legacy provoked greatly differing viewpoints of his contemporaries and critics. The role of the writer, the innovative and traditional features of his works in the literary process at the turn of the century are considered.The short story collections, published during Lawrence’s life, are analysed: “The Prussian Officer and Other Stories” (1914); “England, My England and Other Stories” (1922); “The Woman Who Rode Away and Other Stories” (1928). The interpretation of the themes and motifs of the stories from his early to late periodsare examined, including those less commonly analysed that define a particular period such as: “Odour of Chrysanthemums”, “The Prussian Officer”, “Witch à la Mode”, “The Shades of Spring”, “Second Best”, “England, My England”, “Monkey Nuts”, “The Border Line”, “The Woman Who Rode Away”, “Sun”, “Wintry Peacock”, “In Love”, “New Eve and Old Adam”, “The Rocking-Horse Winner”, “Lovely Lady”, and “Samson and Delilah”. At different stages of his work, generally developed within the framework of modernism, the writer synthesized the creative principles characteristic of impressionism, expressionism, naturalism and realism.In his short stories, Lawrence painted the deep hidden emotions of his characters, the manifestation of which can lead to tragedy (“The Thorn in the Flesh”, “The Prussian Officer”), and give new meaning to their lives (“The Horse Dealer’s Daughter”, “Second Best”).The author’s originality is in his artistic portrayal of the inner world of subconscious feelings. His delicate psychologism and writing craft depict the sensuality and eroticism of relations between a man and a woman, which was unusual for turn of the century English literature.