English Literature made easy - Poetry

People - By D. H. Lawrence

D. H. Lawrence reveals to his readers his anxiety to live alone and be alone. He brings to light his instinctive recognition that when you are very close to the state of a relationship with people; with the society it could probably end up in a state of sadness or repentance.

"I like people quite well at a distance." This line unfolds the poet's anxiety to live alone - to be far at a distance from people, though he likes them and ready to welcome them and be in their company; but he doesn't want them to be closer to him.

"I like people quite well at a distance." He would keep them at a distance and not be too close to them. D. H. Lawrence intends to keep alive the individualism. His anxiety to see them "going their own way" and "their aloneness alive in them" "I like to see them passing and passing

"And going their own way specially if I see their aloneness alive in them"

Lawrence tries to "Disseminate", spread widely his attitudes and beliefs among the other people in the society making them to think or believe in "Their own way", He refrains from being a person subjected to hypocrisy or deceiving people to gain popularity.

The poet tries to be free from hypocrisy which he thinks is, it will make a person free from trouble. The poet's conception about people is that he expects them to be "concerned and concentrate on their won selves" refraining from "hypocrisy and selfishness."

The poet sincerely and ardently requests the people to mind their own selves and leave him alone. Thus prevent trouble. "Yet I don't want them to come near. If they will only leave me alone" I can still have the illusion that there is room enough in the world."

The poet, D.H. Lawrence has made the best use of the simple diction accustomed to himself alone. Although his idea about being alone looks absurd it may be the sincere wish of every one; to be alone, to mind one's own business, leaving one's privacy to oneself, solitude is something which most people treasure. To be free from nuisance.

Lawrence wrote this poem at a time when people were interested about space. The poet has made an appeal to the people to leave the "little space he occupies."

"If they will only leave me alone I can still have the illusion that there is room enough in the world."

The poet, has made a significant effort to reveal the importance of developing understanding maintaining a good "Rapport" with people deviating from misunderstanding. Lawrence has been sincere in his expression and his anxiety to maintain a good rapport with people belonging to various groups.

A person with a good perception and understanding would sincerely agree with Lawrence's attitude towards people.

Mrs. C. Ekanayake,
Retd. Specialist Tr. English.