Use of Sigmund Freud Theory Oedipus Complex:-

D.H. Lawrence was aware of Freud's theory, and he uses this theory in

his novel Sons and Lovers. He uses this theory in the novel as base
for exploring Paul's relationship with his mother. Paul is hopelessly
devoted to his mother, and that love often borders on romantic desire.
Lawrence writes many scenes between the two that go beyond the
bounds of traditional mother-son love. Completing the Oedipal
equation, Paul murderously hates his father and often fantasizes about
his death. We could also see this type of hatred for one’s father in
Virginia’s Wolf novel through the character of James who also
murderously hates his father Mr. Ramsey and love his mother dearly.
Freudian Term “Transference.”
We could also see the Freudian term “Transference” in the character of
Paul. Paul suppressed his guilt, incestuous feelings by transferring them
elsewhere and in the novel, he uses both Mariam and Clara. Clara
Dawes who is projected in the novel as a disgrace, a sex object who is
there to provide sexual pleasure to Paul while Miriam is women of
purity. Paul failed to make satisfactory relationship with either women
because of his disturbing relationship with his mother. Paul is totally
confused with his identity. In the novel D.H Lawrence Paul and his
mother go to the Nottingham together describe them as lovers having
an adventure together. He says “Mother and son are one; the husband
is completely effaced and the father exists merely as a rival.”
Gertrude Moral (Paul’s Mother) Weakness:-
Lawrence adds a twist to the Oedipus complex: Mrs. Morel is also with
desires both William and Paul in near-romantic ways, and she hates all
their girlfriends. She, too, engages in transference, projecting her
dissatisfaction with her marriage, she loves her son Paul, in a romantic
way. She doesn’t want to share her only hope, Paul with Miriam. She
also falls a victim of emotional conflict due to her oedipal complex. In
the end we see Paul takes a major step in releasing himself from his
Oedipus complex. He intentionally overdoses his dying mother with
morphia, an act that reduces her suffering but also overturns his
Oedipal fate, since he does not kill his father, but his mother. So, we
can say that Paul becomes the victim of his uncontrolled sexual desire.