The Rainbow

Plot Summary: "The Rainbow" by D.H. Lawrence is a novel that follows three generations of the Brangwen family, a dynasty of farmers and craftsmen living in Nottinghamshire, England. The book spans approximately 65 years from the 1840s to 1905, exploring the changing love relationships and personal struggles of the Brangwens against the backdrop of Britain's industrialization.

1. First Generation: Tom Brangwen

   • The novel begins with Tom Brangwen, a farmer who marries Lydia Lensky, a Polish refugee and widow. Their marriage is complicated by cultural differences and Tom's insecurities, leading to periods of distance and reconciliation.

2. Second Generation: Anna Brangwen

   • The second section focuses on Anna, Lydia's daughter by her first husband. Anna marries Will Brangwen, her step-cousin, and their relationship is marked by destructive and battle-driven dynamics. Despite their initial attraction, their marriage becomes strained, and Anna's feelings of distance from her mother and her questioning of organized religion contribute to the tension.

3. Third Generation: Ursula Brangwen

   • The final and most extended part of the book centers on Ursula, Will and Anna’s daughter. Ursula struggles to find fulfillment in a society that increasingly values materialism and conformity. She experiences a same-sex relationship with a teacher and a passionate but doomed love affair with Anton Skrebensky, a British soldier of Polish ancestry. Ultimately, Ursula fails to find fulfillment with Skrebensky and has a vision of a rainbow, symbolizing a new dawn for humanity where the old, brittle corruption of society is swept away.

Key Themes:

1. Coming of Age and Personal Growth

   • The novel explores the intergenerational development of the Brangwens, highlighting their struggles for growth and fulfillment as they navigate changing societal conditions.

2. Industrialization and Social Change

   • The book reflects on the shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy, showing how this transformation affects family relationships and individual identities.

3. Marriage and Family Relationships

   • The novel delves into the complexities of marriage, particularly the stormy relationships between Tom and Lydia, Anna and Will, and Ursula’s various romantic entanglements. These relationships often involve power struggles and emotional turmoil.

4. Spirituality and Sensuality

   • Ursula’s journey is characterized by her passionate, spiritual, and sensual nature, which she struggles to reconcile with the increasingly materialist society around her.

5. Religion and Conformity

   • The novel critiques organized religion and societal conformity, particularly through Anna’s questioning of these institutions and Ursula’s search for a more authentic, spiritual life.

Critical Reception: "The Rainbow" received mixed reviews upon its initial publication in 1915. Some critics praised its innovative style and exploration of themes, while others found it too experimental and lacking in coherence. Over time, however, the novel has been recognized for its groundbreaking portrayal of complex family dynamics and its exploration of the human condition in the face of societal change. Today, it is considered a significant work in the modernist literary canon, offering insights into the psychological and emotional lives of its characters.