How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
In one way, Mrs Bolton made a man of him, as Connie never did. Connie kept him apart, and made him sensitive and conscious of himself and his own states. Mrs Bolton made him aware only of outside things. Inwardly he began to go soft as pulp. But outwardly he began to be effective. (9.63)
Mrs. Bolton encourages Clifford to think about something other than himself for a change, and that's at least a little improvement. Connie encouraged Clifford to think about his feelings too much, and everyone knows that men aren't supposed to have feelings.
Quote #8
A man! The strange potency of manhood upon her! Her hands strayed over him, still a little afraid. Afraid of that strange, hostile, slightly repulsive thing that he had been to her, a man. And now she touched him, and it was the sons of god with the daughters of men. (12.152)
"Sons of god with the daughters of men" is a line from Genesis, the first book of the Bible. In other words, sex with Mellors is so awesome that it's like having sex with a god. Connie realizes that men aren't actually "hostile" and "repulsive" but god-like and wonderful. Well, it's an improvement.
Quote #9
And he realized as he went into her that this was the thing he had to do, to come into tender touch, without losing his pride or his dignity or his integrity as a man. After all, if she had money and means, and he had none, he should be too proud and honourable to hold back his tenderness from her on that account. "I stand for the touch of bodily awareness between human beings," he said to himself, "and the touch of tenderness." (18.145)
Mellors isn't too happy about being a stay-at-home husband. But, as he's having sex with Connie, he generously realizes that he shouldn't deprive her of the pleasure of his company just because she's got money. What a self-sacrifice.