Sons and Lovers, Chapter 10 summary

What happens

1. Paul wins first prize for a landscape and sells it for twenty guineas, bringing his parents pride and memories of William.
2. Wearing William’s evening clothes, Paul enters new social circles, while his mother hopes he can rise socially and find happiness.
3. Paul gradually drifts from Miriam, while Arthur accepts the responsibilities of marriage, work, and fatherhood.
4. Visiting Clara and Mrs. Radford, Paul sees Clara’s difficult working circumstances and feels eager to help her.
5. When Susan prepares to leave Jordan’s for marriage, Paul encourages Clara to apply, and she returns to the factory.
6. Paul and Clara exchange criticism and provocations; after an attempted reconciliation, he finds his chocolates untouched beside her machine.

In this chapter

What to notice

Paul separates intensity of experience from happiness. His claim explains the conflict with his mother, who sees his suffering as a threat to his life.

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