An Ass Struggling between Idealism and Naturalism: A New Interpretation of 'The Ass' by D. H. Lawrence

摘要

As a modernist poet in English literature, David Herbert Lawrence is widely known for his collection of Birds, Beasts and Flowers. "The Snake", "The Tortoises" and "The Ship of Death" are probably the poems that most attract worldwide scholars and readers. However, due to Lawrence's discursive and ambivalent artistic and philosophical ideas, it is by no means an easy job to understand his poems. The interpretation of "The Ass", which is a striking picture of Post-Impressionism with reverberating musical effects, may be a challenge. However, after reading Lawrence's Fantasia, the author finds a new perspective to understand "The Ass". In Fantasia, two prime motives which activate men are discussed. The essentially religious or creative motive related to idealism is the first motive for all human activity and the sexual motive related to naturalism comes second. What's more, there is a great conflict between the interests of the two at all times. Nevertheless, the poet through "The Ass" shows a suspicion of his statement in Fantasia, revealing that, in the tug war of the two motives, the former may reconcile to the latter. This approach is thus intended to facilitate the interpretation of "The Ass".