Intermediality in the novel by D.G. Lawrence "Rainbow"

Abstract

The novel “Rainbow” was supposed to become a “new Word” for the people during the First World War. The purpose of the article is to trace the influence of biblical allusions and works of art on the creation of images like Lydia, Tom, Will, Anna and Ursula. Three generations of the Brengwen family become the object of analysis. Lawrence’s paintings to create characters’ images are used for the first time in literary criticism. An attempt is also made to highlight the features of an angel in the image of Will and to indicate their significance for the novel as a whole. The article uses comparative and intertextual research methods. The philosophy of John Ruskin, his books and lectures on art influenced the novel as a whole. His own works reveal the difficulties and contradictions that the characters experience in finding themselves through denial or communion with church symbols. The image of Will is endowed with the features of one of the archangels of the Lord, namely, the archangel Uriel. This image is repeatedly found in Western literature, as well as in the Orthodox tradition. The images of the heroes are more fully revealed thanks to the appeal to the painting of the Florentine artist Fra Angelico, whose painting “The Last Judgment” is mentioned twice in the novel, as well as through Lawrence’s own works, which are a visual embodiment of the spiritual search for heroes. The psychology of a woman, her perception of the surrounding reality, the ability to influence the worldview and faith of a man is regarded as a divine gift. A woman who accepts this gift (even subconsciously) gradually “brings” a man into religion (Lydia - Tom), but if she focuses on the “worldly”, real - family, children (Will - Anna), she is able to “extinguish” faith in a man, even if before meeting her he was a believer. Lawrence does not deny the mutual influence between a man and a woman, however, according to the “Rainbow”, the influence of a woman prevails. Lydia and Anna managed to become those “angels at the Gate” that were discussed in the philosophical introduction to the novel.