Aphorisms in Women in Love: the Words of False Prophets

Abstract

An aphorism is a pithy observation which contains a general truth. A cliché is a phrase or opinion which is overused, betraying a lack of original truth. The use of both terms reflects the distance and doubt felt by the user concerning the validity of the statements as expressions of absolute truth. The difference between absolute and relative truth thus emerges along with the idea that there are false prophets whose claim is that they are the only true prophets in possession of absolute truth. False prophets are however seen as such by the followers of other, potentially false, prophets. The term “false” then only reveals the relative quality of any truth –which in turn can be seen as a fact or belief accepted to be true. The aim here is to address these notions in connection with Birkin’s and Loerke’s assertions, presented as expressions of absolute truths in their use of aphorisms, but which can be in turn discarded as mere clichés, the underlying purpose of which is the manipulation of their listeners. I will address the question with specific examples from the novel and the ensuing reactions.