# VII: Fetish explained — Women in Love > Chapter companion for Women in Love by D. H. Lawrence. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/women_in_love_se/chapters/vii-fetish - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/women_in_love_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/women_in_love_se/chapters