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Character Role Analysis

Clara Dawes

The Other Woman: Clara Dawes

Hey, the book's called Sons and Lovers, not Sons and Lover. When Clara Dawes comes on the scene, she tests Paul's commitment to Miriam. And this is a test that Paul definitely fails… for a while, at least.

It's never completely clear why Paul's attracted to Clara more than Miriam, except that Clara's way less submissive (i.e., he's turned on be her being standoffish to him and playing hard to get) and more experienced in the world of sex (i.e., Paul thinks like a teenage boy). In fact, Paul seems to use Clara as a reprieve from Miriam's unwavering morality and religious intensity.

Eventually, though, the relationship with Clara eventually runs its course. Paul breaks up with her because she can't understand him the way Miriam can. The problem is that Miriam understands Paul too well, so he ends up running away from her, too. He's a love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy, we guess.