The Grass is Singing: A Story of Failed Marriage – Critical Discussion

Or, The Grass is Singing is a story of a failed marriage — discuss.

Doris Lessing’s The Grass is Singing portrays a deeply troubled marriage between Mary and Dick Turner, set against the backdrop of colonial Rhodesia. The novel presents this marriage as a microcosm of broader social tensions and personal failures, making the theme of a failed marriage central to the narrative.

At the heart of the novel is Mary Turner’s psychological and emotional isolation. Mary, a woman from a middle-class English background, marries Dick, a poor white farmer, hoping for security and social status. However, Dick is unsympathetic, emotionally distant, and largely indifferent to Mary’s inner life. Their relationship quickly deteriorates into coldness and alienation.

The marriage fails primarily because of incompatibility and lack of communication. Dick’s practical, coarse nature clashes with Mary’s sensitivity and desire for affection and intellectual stimulation. Mary feels trapped in the harsh environment of the farm, alienated from both her husband and the native African community. Her frustration and loneliness intensify as Dick remains emotionally unavailable and indifferent to her needs.

Mary’s failure to adjust to rural colonial life adds to the marital breakdown. She is unprepared for the isolation, hardship, and racial tensions of the farm. Her inability to cope contributes to her mental decline, and Dick’s failure to support or understand her exacerbates the situation. This creates a cycle of emotional neglect and growing resentment.

Furthermore, the marriage reflects broader colonial conflicts. The power dynamics between Mary and Dick mirror the racial and social tensions of the time. Mary’s complex relationship with Moses, the African servant, highlights the failures of colonial society and the emotional void in her marriage. The racial inequalities and societal prejudices intensify Mary’s sense of despair.

Lessing’s portrayal is not just about a personal failure but also about the failure of colonial values and the harsh realities behind the façade of empire. The marriage becomes a symbol of emotional and social breakdown—where love and understanding are absent, replaced by alienation and cruelty.

In conclusion, The Grass is Singing is indeed a story of a failed marriage. Through the tragic relationship of Mary and Dick Turner, Doris Lessing explores themes of emotional isolation, incompatibility, colonial oppression, and psychological decline. The novel highlights how personal and societal failures intertwine to destroy intimacy and hope.