# Chapter XV explained — Lady Chatterley’s Lover

> Chapter companion for Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence.

## What happens

Connie receives a letter from Hilda arranging her departure from Wragby. She tells Clifford she will leave on June 17th and return by July 20th. Connie and Mellors discuss their future and the possibility of leaving England together. They share an intimate moment where Mellors adorns her body with flowers, expressing his deep appreciation for her physicality. Mrs. Bolton interrupts them as they leave the woods.

## Themes in this chapter

### Industrialization vs. Nature

Clifford's obsessive schemes for the coal pits are contrasted with Mellors' intimate connection to the natural world and Connie's body.

### Sexuality and Intimacy

Mellors' detailed appreciation of Connie's body and his adorning her with flowers highlight a tender, earthy sexuality.

### Marriage and Personal Fulfillment

Connie plans to leave Clifford, seeking a child and a life with Mellors, reflecting her search for personal fulfillment beyond her marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Constance Chatterley

Receives Hilda's letter, informs Clifford of her departure, and discusses future plans with Mellors.

### Clifford Chatterley

Shows strange blankness and cunning about Connie's departure; gambles nightly with Mrs. Bolton.

### Oliver Mellors

Shares an intimate moment with Connie, adorning her with flowers, and expresses ambivalence about her leaving.

### Mrs. Bolton

Gambles with Clifford and loses money; later interrupts Connie and Mellors in the woods.

### Hilda

Writes to Connie arranging her departure from Wragby on June 17th.

## Key lines

> So! She was being pushed round on the chessboard again.

Connie feels like a pawn in others' plans.

_Reflects her lack of agency in her own life._

> Tha's got such a nice tail on thee... It's a bottom as could hold the world up, it is.

Mellors praises Connie's body with earthy, reverent language.

_Highlights his deep physical and emotional connection to her._

> There's forget-me-nots in the right place!

Mellors places forget-me-not flowers in Connie's pubic hair.

_Symbolizes his desire to be remembered even in her absence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_chatterley_s_lover_se/chapters/xv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_chatterley_s_lover_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lady_chatterley_s_lover_se/chapters