Dissolute by D.H. Lawrence (1916)
Dissolute is a novel by D.H. Lawrence, first published in 1929. It tells the story of a young man, Paul Morel, who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is torn between his love for two women, Miriam and Clara, and his desire to make something of himself. Paul's life is complicated by his parents' troubled marriage and his own feelings of guilt and inadequacy. He is also struggling to come to terms with his own sexuality, and his relationships with the two women are a reflection of this. The novel follows Paul as he attempts to find his place in the world, and to make sense of his own identity. Along the way, he must confront his own inner demons and make difficult choices about his future. In the end, he must decide whether to stay with Miriam or to pursue his own dreams.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1916 · Genre: Modernist Literature, Romance, Psychological Fiction · 74 words
First lines
MANY years have I still to burn, detained
Like a candle flame on this body; but I enshrine
A darkness within me, a presence which sleeps
contained
What this Textopian page supports
Dissolute is listed on Textopian as a short story by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Modernist Literature, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Drama
- Length: 74 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dissolute by D.H. Lawrence
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Dissolute?
- How does this short story by D.H. Lawrence fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Modernist Literature first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Modernist Literature — D.H. Lawrence is considered a major Modernist writer, and 'Dissolute' is a prime example of his Modernist style, with its focus on the inner life of the protagonist and its exploration of themes such as alienation and the search for identity.
- Romance — The novel follows the romantic relationship between the protagonist and his lover, and explores the complexities of their relationship.
- Psychological Fiction — The novel is largely focused on the psychological state of the protagonist, and his inner struggles and conflicts.
- Drama — The novel is full of dramatic moments and scenes, as the protagonist struggles with his inner demons and his relationship with his lover.
Tags
desire · morality · sexuality · relationships · society · individualism · conflict · introspection · human nature · passion · freedom · alienation