Touch and Go by D.H. Lawrence (1930)
The narrative unfolds in a mining village where characters grapple with themes of freedom, identity, and societal constraints. Central to the story is a man, Willie Houghton, who passionately addresses a group of miners, criticizing their complacency and lack of ambition. He warns them of a future where they will become mere numbers, stripped of their humanity, as they remain content in their subservient roles. The miners, represented by Job Arthur Freer, express a desire to balance their needs with those of their employers, revealing a struggle between self-interest and collective responsibility. As the dialogue progresses, the arrival of Gerald Barlow and Oliver Turton introduces a contrasting perspective from the upper class. Anabel Wrath, a returning character, complicates the dynamics, as her interactions with Gerald reveal unresolved tensions from their past. The setting shifts between the market-place and private conversations, highlighting the characters' internal conflicts and societal roles. The work critiques the social hierarchy and the miners' acceptance of their fate, while also exploring personal relationships and the desire for connection amidst societal expectations. Ultimately, it presents a poignant examination of freedom, identity, and the human condition within the constraints of class and labor.
By D.H. Lawrence · First published 1930 · Genre: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics · 5 chapters · 28,211 words
First lines
CHARACTERS GERALD BARLOW. MR. BARLOW (his father). OLIVER TURTON. JOB ARTHUR FREER. WILLIE HOUGHTON. ALFRED BREFFITT. WILLIAM (a butler). CLERKS, MINERS, etc. ANABEL WRATH. MRS. BARLOW. WINIFRED BARLOW. EVA (a maid).
Sunday morning. Market-place of a large mining village in the Midlands. A man addressing a small gang of colliers from the foot of a stumpy memorial obelisk. Church bells heard. Churchgoers passing along the outer pavements.
What this Textopian page supports
Touch and Go is listed on Textopian as a play by D.H. Lawrence, dated 1930 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: D.H. Lawrence
- Date: 1930 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics, Literary Fiction, Modernist Literature
- Length: 28,211 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 1,084 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Touch and Go 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 Touch and Go?
- How does this play by D.H. Lawrence fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Short Stories — The book is a collection of short stories by D.H. Lawrence.
- Fiction — It is a work of narrative prose created from the author's imagination.
- Classics — D.H. Lawrence is a canonical writer in literary history.
- Literary Fiction — The book features sophisticated writing and in-depth character exploration typical of literary fiction.
Tags
love · relationships · human nature · desire · conflict · identity · intimacy · betrayal · emotional turmoil · self-discovery · society · family dynamics
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE II
- SCENE II