Characterization of Mabel in D.H. Lawrence's the Horse Dealer's Daughter

Written in 1922 The Horse Dealer's Daughter is an attempt by D.H. Lawrence to overcome the embarrassment humans have assumed in regards to their natural being. In a demonstration of how close the Pervin siblings are with nature they are described with characteristics that can be considered natural, the brothers associated with the imagery of horses and Mabel associated with nature itself. Lawrence establishes Mabel as the embodiment of a person free from the pressures and expected behaviours of a society that has become ashamed of its natural and sexual self. Here is a character who shuns the behaviour considered acceptable by society and instead follows her instincts without conscious consideration linking back to the Romantic idea of a connection with nature that is to be proud of. Her closeness to nature provides her with an elemental power that she unconsciously employs throughout the text and a sexuality she embraces. By casting aside the socially determined behaviour expected of her Mabel is able to combine her elemental power with her instinctual actions in order to achieve her goal of becoming like her mother, and achieve happiness.

A farm girl, Mabel already has a strong connection with nature that is deepened by the connection this provides her to her mother. When faced with the loss of the family farm and residence Mabel's brothers reflect the expectations their society practices in regard to what they consider appropriate behaviour for women. One brother suggests she, "Go as a skivvy" (Lawrence 133) while another proposes "training for a nurse" (133). These are traditionally considered as jobs for women and would be socially acceptable for Mabel to undertake either of these professions yet she is uninterested. For a woman of twenty-seven Mabel has already expressed her desire to follow her own beliefs by remaining at the farm caring for her brothers rather than conforming to societal expectations of finding a husband. Her brothers, and likely other members of the community who share similar expectations of a woman "talked at her and round her for so many years, that she hardly heard them" (133). Here it is clear that Mabel is so comfortable in her own ideals that she does not even feel the need to respond to the assertions that she follows certain social behaviours. This in itself demonstrates Mabel's instinctual actions that define her connection to nature and the natural behaviours associated with that.

Mabel does not ignore all socially determined behaviour, living a domestic life maintaining the household and caring for her brothers as any woman of the twenties would. However, being a woman of the farm Mabel experiences a connection to nature that is far greater than others and this is enhanced by the intimacy nature allows her to share with her mother. When Mabel is depicted in the churchyard where her mother is buried she feels secure despite being exposed to anyone who passed by. Here she feels "in immediate contact with the world of her mother" (138) and it is their shared love of nature that allows this connection to be so strong. Similarly when Mabel walks into the pond the imagery projected suggests that she is simply returning to Mother Nature and through it, her mother. This action is given no conscious thought but is an expression of Mabel's desire to be like her mother and in doing so escaping a dreary life as a woman contained by the expectations of her society.

This natural world of Mabel is juxtaposed by the sterile world of Dr. Jack Fergusson who, as an educated man, is detached from the connection to nature. He even acts as a contrast to Mabel's brothers whose strong bond with nature is depicted through their animalistic character descriptions. Where Mabel's brothers are shown as being strong, masculine men associated with the powerful horses, the first picture of Jack the reader receives is that he is unwell. Rather than being a part of the strong, instinctual world of the Pervins, Jack is portrayed as being weaker due to his lack of connection to nature.