# Sisters explained — Women in Love

> Chapter companion for Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence.

## What happens

The chapter introduces the Brangwen sisters, Ursula and Gudrun, as they return to their Midlands home and observe the wedding of Laura Crich. Gudrun, recently from Chelsea, feels alienated by the sordid environment, while Ursula is introspective about life and marriage. The narrative also delves into Hermione Roddice's tortured dependence on Rupert Birkin, who is absent from the wedding, and Gudrun's magnetic attraction to Gerald Crich.

## Themes in this chapter

### Male-Female Polarity and Power

Hermione's desperate need for Birkin and Gudrun's magnetic attraction to Gerald illustrate the power dynamics and dependencies in male-female relationships.

### Human Connection and Isolation

The sisters' conversation reveals a void and chasm between them, while Hermione's inner torture underscores her isolation despite social success.

### Industrialization and Modernity

The sordid, formless streets of Beldover and the colliery town setting contrast with the refined artistic sensibilities of the sisters, highlighting the impact of industrialization.

## Character check-ins

### Ursula Brangwen

Ursula is reflective and seeks understanding of life, feeling suspended yet prescient. She admires Gudrun but feels constrained by her presence.

### Gudrun Brangwen

Gudrun is aloof and critical, finding the town ugly and the people intrusive. She is magnetized by Gerald Crich and resents being drawn into emotional discussions.

### Hermione Roddice

Hermione is tortured by her need for Rupert Birkin, feeling vulnerable despite her social and intellectual standing. She craves his connection to fill her inner void.

### Gerald Crich

Gerald appears at the wedding with his mother, striking Gudrun as northern, pure, and magnetically new, like sunshine refracted through ice.

### Mrs. Crich

Mrs. Crich is described as unkempt, with a monomaniacal look, leaning forward with a tense, predative expression.

## Key lines

> She always felt vulnerable, vulnerable, there was always a secret chink in her armour. She did not know herself what it was. It was a lack of robust self, she had no natural sufficiency, there was a terrible void, a lack, a deficiency of being within her.

Hermione constantly felt exposed and insecure, aware of a hidden weakness she couldn't identify—a fundamental lack of inner strength that left her feeling empty and incomplete.

_Highlights Hermione's psychological fragility and her dependence on Birkin to feel whole._

> Gudrun lighted on him at once. There was something northern about him that magnetised her. In his clear northern flesh and his fair hair was a glisten like sunshine refracted through crystals of ice.

Gudrun was immediately drawn to Gerald, captivated by his Nordic appearance and the icy, crystalline quality of his fair hair and skin.

_Describes Gudrun's instant attraction to Gerald, emphasizing his cold, pure, and magnetic allure._

> I find myself completely out of it.

Gudrun feels entirely disconnected from her home and family life.

_Captures Gudrun's alienation and her critical detachment from her surroundings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/women_in_love_se/chapters/i-sisters
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/women_in_love_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/women_in_love_se/chapters