Arthur Morel Character Analysis in Sons and Lovers

Arthur Morel is the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Morel and the younger brother of William, Annie, and Paul. Arthur is a happy, lively child and, out of all the Morel children, he gets along best with Mr. Morel. He grows into an energetic young man who is often careless in his pursuit of fun and is constantly getting into scrapes. Mrs. Morel worries about Arthur and finds him tiring to be around because he is so active and extroverted. Arthur takes a job in a factory but is unhappy there. One day, on a whim, he and a friend join the army. Arthur regrets this decision immediately and asks his mother to pay his way out. This shows that Arthur is irresponsible and does not expect there to be consequences to his actions. His time in the army disciplines him, however, and brings the optimistic and determined side of his nature to the surface. He makes the best of his circumstances and, when he is at last discharged, he marries Beatrice Wyld and becomes a hard-working and responsible husband and father to their child. Arthur is very comfortable in his body in a way that Paul is not. It is insinuated that, unlike Paul, he is not ashamed of his physical and sexual prowess and, instead, shows his body off when he is with Beatrice, before they become lovers.

Arthur Morel Character Timeline in Sons and Lovers

The timeline below shows where the character Arthur Morel appears in Sons and Lovers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Family, Psychology, and the Oedipus Complex Theme Icon

Women’s Work and Women’s Rights Theme Icon

...Mrs. Morel, who is pregnant with another child. She gives birth to another son, called Arthur, and this child immediately bonds with Mr. Morel. (full context)

On Friday nights, Annie and Arthur go out with their friends, but Paul prefers to stay in and wait for Mrs.... (full context)

As Arthur Morel grows up, he becomes a handsome and vivacious young man. He is extremely popular... (full context)

...Hemlock Stone with Miriam and some of his friends. Miriam’s brother Geoffrey and Annie and Arthur go with them. That morning at breakfast, before they set out, Mrs. Morel calls Paul... (full context)

When Arthur Morel leaves school, he gets a job at the “electrical plant” at one of the... (full context)

Paul is vaguely amused and thinks that this is not so bad for Arthur; it will teach him discipline. Mrs. Morel, however, is furious; Arthur has lost a good... (full context)

Christianity, Propriety, and Physicality Theme Icon

When Mrs. Morel returns home, she tells Paul that she cannot help Arthur out of the army but, although he is sad to be there, the army doctor... (full context)

Annie and Leonard get married soon after this, and Arthur travels up for the wedding. Mrs. Morel is sad to see her daughter leave home,... (full context)

...to bed, but she stays up and thinks about her children. She is worried about Arthur. Although the army has disciplined him, he hates the regimented lifestyle and misses his freedom.... (full context)

One night, Arthur and Beatrice tussle playfully over a comb, which Arthur has plucked from her hair, and,... (full context)

Paul, however, spends very little time with Miriam now. Arthur and his wife have a baby and Arthur gradually settles into his responsibilities as a... (full context)