In addition, she also must be associated with sex. In Paul's case, he saves his mother from her broken marriage to Walter, giving her spirituality and a sense of stability. And, although Gertrude remains virginal in the Paul's eyes, birthing four children speaks otherwise. Thus, as his sexual desire is aroused in his maturity, Paul seeks fulfillment from a lover that can be identified with is mother.
In search of a physical relationship, Paul instead falls into a spiritual one with Miriam Lievers. Often represented by flowers, Miriam resembles Gertrude in purity, intellect, and protective nature. Paul naturally falls in love with her because she reminds him of Gertrude's virginal youth as well as their common appreciation for nature. Gertrude, however, has an immediate hatred toward the "soul sucking" Miriam, as she is fearful that Miriam will replace her. In his essay, "Counterfeit Loves", Mark Spilka explains: .
If Miriam should win Paul's soul, there would be nothing left for Mrs. Morel; as .
for his sex sympathy, the mother wants her to win that, if she will only leave his soul.
in her possession.
However, their relationship is quite the opposite, as Miriam prides herself on arousing Paul's soul, having "the ability to stimulate him in his work, to arouse his own spiritual nature to serve as the necessary threshing floor' for his ideas." .
Although Miriam feels she has the ability to control Paul's soul, her innocence creates fear of any type of intimacy, for she "could scarcely stand the shock of physical love, even a passionate kiss." Miriam's intensely spiritual nature smothers Paul but deprives him of sex. Weiss suggests, "In Paul's mind Miriam has become too firmly established as a mother surrogate". In order to separate her from Gertrude, they engage in intercourse, but the union is a failure as Miriam sacrifices herself to Paul and does not connect emotionally. Thus, Miriam and Paul's relationship is inevitably diminished.
