Oedipus complex in D. H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers and Virginia Woolf's to the Lighthouse

The aim of this research project is to prove that Oedipus Complex that is normally known as the love felt for the mother and the hatred felt for the father by male children also refers to female children. This study analyzes D. H. Lawrence?s Sons and Lovers and Virginia Woolf?s To the Lighthouse within the framework of psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, specifically Freud?s theory of Oedipus Complex. Sigmund Freud was courageous to talk about unconscious, sexuality and especially child sexuality which were considered as taboo subjects. His theories concerning child sexuality have especially met great reaction. By his `Oedipus complex? theory, he explains his ideas about child sexuality. Freud was inspired by the play `Oedipus the King? in formulating his theory. According to this theory, both male and female children love their mothers in an affectionate way and their first love object is the mother. However, when females realize that their mothers lack a penis, they turn their attention to their fathers. Freud calls this Oedipus complex. D. H. Lawrence?s Sons and Lovers is a classical example of the theory of Oedipus complex. It portrays male children who are suffering from Oedipus complex deeply and they cannot overcome it. Virginia Woolf?s To the Lighthouse is an unconventional example of this theory because it presents a male child and a female one who fall victim to this complex, nevertheless, who can overcome it.