# Miriam Leivers — Sons and Lovers character guide > Miriam Leivers in Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Miriam, Leivers, Miriam Leivers, Miriam Paul **First appearance:** 0006-part-ii-vii-lad-and-girl-love ## Snapshot A farmer's daughter with dark, dreaming eyes and a soul pitched toward the mystical, Miriam loves Paul with a fervor that frightens him even as it draws him back. ## Who they are Miriam lives at Willey Farm, a girl in a frayed blue frock and broken boots who seems to Paul like a maiden in bondage, her spirit dreaming in a far-off land. She gives him her whole soul — religious, watchful, self-abnegating — and resents the way his keen eyes see everything about her, from her un-pulled stocking to her inner raptures. Their bond is the novel's first great testing of whether love can survive when one person wants to be worshipped and the other wants to be free. ## Relationships ### [Paul Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/paul_morel) _romantic_ Intense, spiritual, and possessive romantic relationship marked by emotional intimacy but physical tension. ### [Clara Dawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/clara_dawes) _rivalry_ Competitive and jealous dynamic as both women vie for Paul's affection and loyalty. ### [Edgar Leivers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/edgar_leivers) _family_ Protective older brother who disapproves of Miriam's intense relationship with Paul. ### [Walter Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/walter_morel) _social_ Distant acquaintances, with Walter largely indifferent to Miriam's presence in Paul's life. ### [Gertrude Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/gertrude_morel) _rivalry_ Hostile relationship as Gertrude sees Miriam as a threat to her hold over Paul. ### [Arthur Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/arthur_morel) _social_ Brief interactions as Arthur is largely indifferent to Miriam's role in Paul's life. ### [Paul Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/paul_morel) _romantic_ Intense, spiritual, and possessive romantic relationship marked by emotional intimacy but physical tension. ### [Clara Dawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/clara_dawes) _rivalry_ Competitive and jealous dynamic as both women vie for Paul's affection and loyalty. ### [Paul Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/paul_morel) _romantic_ Intense, spiritual, and possessive romantic relationship marked by emotional intimacy but physical tension. ### [Clara Dawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/clara_dawes) _rivalry_ Competitive and jealous dynamic as both women vie for Paul's affection and loyalty. ### [Edgar Leivers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/edgar_leivers) _family_ Protective older brother who disapproves of Miriam's intense relationship with Paul. ### [Gertrude Morel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/gertrude_morel) _rivalry_ Hostile relationship as Gertrude sees Miriam as a threat to her hold over Paul. ## In the story ### [Lad-and-Girl Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-lad-and-girl-love) Romantic and mystical; sees Paul as a hero; prays about her love for him; feels shame and desire for intellectual distinction; withdraws from calling at Paul's house. ### [Strife in Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-strife-in-love) Endures Paul's intellectual cruelty; desires a soul-union with him; deeply pained by his attacks on her beliefs. ### [IX: Defeat of Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-defeat-of-miriam) Feels destined for sacrifice; doubts she can satisfy Paul; suffers as Paul turns to Clara; seeks to prove her spiritual hold on him. ### [X: Clara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-x-clara) Believes Paul will return to her; her spiritual intensity repels him. ### [XI: The Test on Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-the-test-on-miriam) Miriam is deeply spiritual and devoted to Paul, but their relationship is strained by his physical reluctance. She senses the impending breakup and responds with sorrow and bitterness. ### [XII: Passion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-xii-passion) Observes Paul and Clara together, realizing their bond; discusses love and marriage with Paul, accepting his need for a passionate experience. ### [XIII: Baxter Dawes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-baxter-dawes) Visits Paul but feels like a stranger to him; Paul admits he no longer cares about her. ### [XV: Derelict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-derelict) Miriam meets Paul again at church and goes to his lodging. She yearns to claim him but cannot assert herself; she offers self-sacrifice instead. Paul's rejection leaves her bitter and feeling that life ahead is dead. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters/miriam_leivers - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sons_and_lovers_se/characters