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When William leaves the house to take a high-paying job in London, he is excited, but Mrs. Morel is grief-stricken over his parting. Being his mother, she should be proud of him, but she is not. Rather, she fears losing him and holds even more tightly onto her other son, Paul. This shows her inability to mother her sons correctly beyond their childhood. Instead of showing her love for William by letting him go proudly, …

…depriving them of the joys of life. William's relationship with Lily is so full of despair because of Mrs. Morel's disapproval. He is constantly comparing Lily to her and criticizing her for not being like her. Mrs. Morel dislikes Lily because of the way she dresses and treats the family as lesser beings. Because of William's lack of experience in relationships, his strong connection to his mother, and her disapproval, the relationship has a hopelessness.