Intimates is a beautiful poem by D.H. Lawrence. Some may not consider it to be beautiful because of its extremely short length and notably sharp tone. Some may not consider it to be beautiful because of the underlying message. Allow me to give you my interpretation, perhaps the same interpretation others would give as well ....
In the poem Intimates, a couple is arguing. The couple isn't arguing about anything as crass as money, jewels, or even sex. The couple is arguing ... but they are arguing about the lack of love between them. The woman asks, "Do you care for my love?" in a rather bitter tone according to Lawrence. Lawrence snares back at her by handing her a mirror. After handing her the mirror, he suggest that she asks the "proper person" these questions.
Looking at herself, how exactly is she supposed to ask herself these questions? "Please make all requests to head-quarters," Lawrence harshly states. Lawrence also suggest that, "In all matters of emotional importance please approach the supreme authority direct!" Obviously the "supreme authority" is Lawrence's lady. But why does he call her the "supreme authority?" Is he deciding to not take responsibility for their short-comings in their relationship?
In a way, he is denouncing responsibility for their emotional short-comings, alone. He insists that she is the "proper person" to address these questions to.
This is one of Lawrence's best works, though it is a rather short poem. It is one of his best works because it challenges us. It is a challenge to look at one's own reflection, and question ourselves before questioning someone else. He suggests that it is important to reflect upon ourselves, especially when considering questions of great importance. Many things in our lives are our own responsibilities, we simply choose to not take responsibility for a great number of them. Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself, do you love yourself? Do you care to love yourself? Or do you simply seek for others to love you instead?
In the poem Intimates, a couple is arguing. The couple isn't arguing about anything as crass as money, jewels, or even sex. The couple is arguing ... but they are arguing about the lack of love between them. The woman asks, "Do you care for my love?" in a rather bitter tone according to Lawrence. Lawrence snares back at her by handing her a mirror. After handing her the mirror, he suggest that she asks the "proper person" these questions.
Looking at herself, how exactly is she supposed to ask herself these questions? "Please make all requests to head-quarters," Lawrence harshly states. Lawrence also suggest that, "In all matters of emotional importance please approach the supreme authority direct!" Obviously the "supreme authority" is Lawrence's lady. But why does he call her the "supreme authority?" Is he deciding to not take responsibility for their short-comings in their relationship?
In a way, he is denouncing responsibility for their emotional short-comings, alone. He insists that she is the "proper person" to address these questions to.
This is one of Lawrence's best works, though it is a rather short poem. It is one of his best works because it challenges us. It is a challenge to look at one's own reflection, and question ourselves before questioning someone else. He suggests that it is important to reflect upon ourselves, especially when considering questions of great importance. Many things in our lives are our own responsibilities, we simply choose to not take responsibility for a great number of them. Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself, do you love yourself? Do you care to love yourself? Or do you simply seek for others to love you instead?