From ‘Paul Morel’ to Sons and Lovers, July–November 1912

Jessie believed that Lawrence did not rewrite the novel after the version she saw, but he extensively rewrote it, responding to all her objections that have survived and incorporating her new scenarios with little change. Lawrence submitted the novel to Heinemann in June 1912, but it was rejected. With Edward Garnett’s encouragement he completely rewrote it between July and December. Frieda claimed that she wrote 'little female bits' those these have not survived. Her influence is unlikely to have been favourable to Jessie, but here is strong evidence that it strengthened the awareness of the destructive effect of a mother-son love substituting for a failed marriage. It was only in October 1912, during the final rewriting, that Lawrence gave the novel the thematically significant title 'Sons and Lovers'.