Women in Love · Chapter
Snowed Up explained
Gudrun and Loerke develop a deep, esoteric bond centered on art and sensation, dismissing life and love as trivial.
What happens
Gudrun and Loerke develop a deep, esoteric bond centered on art and sensation, dismissing life and love as trivial. Gudrun publicly denies her marriage to Gerald, wounding him deeply. As Ursula and Birkin leave, Gudrun and Gerald's relationship deteriorates into a bitter power struggle, with Gudrun coldly asserting that Gerald never loved her, driving him to thoughts of murder.
Themes in this chapter
Art, Sensibility, and the Artist
Gudrun and Loerke elevate art above life, treating existence as a 'bagatelle' and seeking ultimate sensation through aesthetic and sensual experience.
Male-Female Polarity and Power
The power struggle between Gudrun and Gerald intensifies, with Gudrun asserting dominance by denying love and rejecting her married identity.
Death, Destruction, and the Will to Power
Gerald contemplates killing Gudrun as the only escape; Loerke and Gudrun fantasize about apocalyptic destruction.
Characters to notice
- Gudrun Brangwen
Deepens her connection with Loerke, rejecting Gerald and her married name; coldly confronts Gerald about love.
- Gerald Crich
Struggles with Gudrun's rejection and her alliance with Loerke; feels driven to thoughts of killing her.
- Loerke
Forms a suggestive, artistic bond with Gudrun; triumphs when she denies her marriage to Gerald.
- Ursula Brangwen
Departs with Birkin, leaving Gudrun free to engage in her conflict with Gerald.
- Rupert Birkin
Departs with Ursula, mentioned only in passing.
Key passages
“Of course,” said Gudrun, “life doesn’t really matter—it is one’s art which is central. What one does in one’s life has peu de rapport , it doesn’t signify much.” “Yes, that is so, exactly,” replied the sculptor. “What one does in one’s art, that is the breath of one’s being. What one does in one’s life, that is a bagatelle for the outsiders to fuss about.””
Gudrun and Loerke agree that art is the only thing that truly matters; life is trivial and unimportant.
This exchange encapsulates the chapter's central theme of art versus life.
“If only I could kill her,” his heart was whispering repeatedly. “If only I could kill her—I should be free.””
Gerald feels that murdering Gudrun is the only way to escape their destructive relationship.
Highlights Gerald's desperation and the theme of death as a solution.