Women in Love · Chapter
VII: Fetish explained
Gerald wakes late in the bohemian flat, observing Halliday and Maxim naked by the fire.
What happens
Gerald wakes late in the bohemian flat, observing Halliday and Maxim naked by the fire. The group discusses nudity, sensation, and art, focusing on a carved African figure of a woman in labor. Birkin defends the statue as representing pure physical consciousness, while Gerald feels repulsed. Tensions rise as the Pussum becomes cold and manipulative, aiming to capture Halliday. After a violent scene in a café, Gerald leaves, feeling piqued that he did not give the Pussum money, while she is glad to be rid of him and focuses on marrying Halliday.
Themes in this chapter
Art, Sensibility, and the Artist
The African carving is debated as representing 'pure culture in sensation' and 'ultimate physical consciousness,' contrasting Gerald's conventional view of art with Birkin's modernist sensibility.
Male-Female Polarity and Power
The Pussum's manipulation of Halliday and her coldness toward Gerald illustrate a power struggle, with her seeking to capture and control Halliday through marriage.
Human Connection and Isolation
Gerald feels a 'strange hostility' and leaves the group, highlighting his isolation despite the intimate setting; the party's friability underscores failed connections.
Characters to notice
- Gerald Crich
Wakes late, observes the naked men, debates art with Birkin, feels repulsed by the African statue, and later leaves after a hostile scene with Halliday.
- Rupert Birkin
Appears in white pyjamas, defends the African carving as high art of pure sensation, and is mad with irritation at the party's friability.
- Halliday
Stark naked by the fire, praises nudity and sensation, turns hostile toward Gerald, and is targeted by the Pussum for marriage.
- Pussum
Lifeless and mute at breakfast, becomes hard and cold like a flint knife, intent on capturing Halliday and marrying him.
- Maxim
Sits naked by the fire, golden-skinned, agrees with Halliday about sensation, and stands clear during the row.
Key passages
“It contains the whole truth of that state, whatever you feel about it.”
The carving embodies the complete reality of that physical condition, regardless of personal opinion.
Birkin defends the African statue as an authentic expression of pure sensation.
“Pure culture in sensation, culture in the physical consciousness, really ultimate physical consciousness, mindless, utterly sensual.”
It represents a refined state of pure physical awareness, completely sensual and without intellect.
Birkin describes the carving as the pinnacle of sensual culture.
“Her inchoate look of a violated slave, whose fulfilment lies in her further and further violation, made his nerves quiver with acutely desirable sensation.”
Her appearance as a submissive victim, who finds satisfaction in continued abuse, excited him intensely.
Gerald's cruel passion is aroused by the Pussum's helplessness.