How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
If she could rise, take him, put her arms round him, and say, "You are mine," then he would leave himself to her. But dare she? She could easily sacrifice herself. But dare she assert herself? She was aware of his dark-clothed, slender body, that seemed one stroke of life, sprawled in the chair close to her. But no; she dared not put her arms round it. (15.126)
At the end of the novel, Lawrence tells us in plain English what he's been dancing around throughout the entire text of Sons and Lovers. Paul wants Miriam to step up and claim him, but Miriam wants Paul to step up and claim her. Ultimately, it's these two characters' stubbornness that keeps them apart.