"Self-Protection" by D.H. Lawrence

"Self-Protection" by D.H. Lawrence

When science starts to be interpretive
It is more unscientific even than mysticism.

To make self-preservation and self-protection the first law of existence
Is about as scientific as making suicide the first law of existence,
And amounts to very much the same thing.

A nightingale singing at the top of his voice
Is neither hiding himself nor preserving himself nor propagating his species;
He is giving himself away in every sense of the word;
And obviously, it is the culminating point of his existence.

A tiger is striped and golden for his own glory.
He would certainly be much more invisible if he were grey-green.
And I don’t suppose the ichthyosaurus sparkled like the humming-bird,
No doubt he was khaki-colored with muddy protective coloration,
So why didn’t he survive?

As a matter of fact, the only creatures that seem to survive
Are those that give themselves away in flash and sparkle
And gay flicker of joyful life;
Those that go glittering abroad
With a bit of splendor.

Even mice play quite beautifully at shadows,
And some of them are brilliantly piebald.

I expect the dodo looked like a clod,
A drab and dingy bird.

Short summary of the poem,

D.H. Lawrence’s essay "Self-Protection" explores how individuals develop psychological and emotional defenses to protect themselves from the overwhelming influences of society and others.

The poet uses vivid examples from the animal world to illustrate how living beings instinctively protect themselves from harm. Lawrence argues that animals naturally develop mechanisms of self-defense, which can be physical, emotional, or instinctual, and he draws parallels between these animal behaviors and the psychological defenses humans build in modern society.

Lawrence argues that people build these layers of "self-protection" to maintain a sense of individuality in the face of external pressures, whether they come from societal norms, family expectations, or interpersonal relationships.

He goes on to point out that only the creatures wholly and colourfully themselves have survived the centuries. The ones who have been camouflaged have perished.

Lawrence argues in the poem that the Nightingale which neither camouflages nor preserves itself, but sings at the top of its voice has managed to survive while the Ichthyosaurus with its muddy protective colouration could not survive.

The Nightingale, which gave its self away in song and the Tiger with its brilliant golden stripes and the vibrantly colored Humming bird all survived and reaped the reward of continued life, while the Ichthyosaurus and the Dodo, which resembled the surroundings, could not survive and became extinct.

Through these examples, Lawrence emphasizes that self-protection is an instinctual response, but he warns that humans, unlike animals, can become overly reliant on these defenses. While animals return to a state of relaxation once the threat is gone, humans often remain emotionally guarded even when no immediate threat is present. This can lead to a lack of spontaneity, connection, and genuine interaction with others.

He suggests that modern society often imposes ideals and expectations that alienate individuals from their true selves. In response, people create emotional barriers to safeguard their inner being from intrusion or manipulation. These defenses can lead to a disconnection not only from others but also from their own deeper feelings and instincts.

Lawrence's poem reflects his broader belief in the importance of spontaneity, authentic emotion, and connection with nature. He warns that excessive self-protection can make people rigid, fearful, and less capable of genuine human connection, which is essential for personal growth and fulfillment.

In summary, "Self-Protection" by D.H. Lawrence is a reflection on the tension between individual authenticity and societal conformity, and the ways people defend themselves from losing their sense of self in an often intrusive world.

Themes,

Adventurousness vs. Self-Protection

One of the key tensions in the poem is between the urge to be adventurous in life and love, and the need for self-protection. While heartbreak can push someone to take risks, over time, self-protective instincts can take over, leading to emotional withdrawal and a diminished capacity to engage with life's adventures.

Emotional Exhaustion

Lawrence warns that repeated emotional pain could eventually leave a person with "nothing left with which to venture forth." This theme touches on emotional exhaustion or burnout, where a person, after experiencing too much heartbreak, becomes emotionally drained and unable to fully participate in new experiences or relationships.

Human Resilience vs. Fragility

Lawrence balances the idea of human resilience (the ability to keep going after heartbreak) with human fragility (the eventual depletion of emotional resources). He suggests that while people are capable of surviving emotional trauma, there is a limit to how much pain one can endure before self-protection becomes all-encompassing.

Various existing animals and other extinct animals which are discussed in the poem by

D.H. Lawrence in the poem "Self-Protection"