"I don't want the corpses of flowers about me" reflects a yearning for vibrancy and life rather than decay. In D.H. Lawrence's "Sons and Lovers," this quote captures a character's desire to avoid the remnants of beauty that have faded. It highlights the theme of the impermanence of beauty and the emotional weight that comes with loss.

This sentiment resonates throughout the novel, where characters grapple with their relationships and the impacts of their choices. Lawrence often emphasizes the tension between love and loss, suggesting that clinging to the past can feel like surrounding oneself with lifeless remnants rather than embracing the present's vitality.