The aim of this study is to point out to the significance of epiphany experienced by the character of Elizabeth in “Odour of Chrysanthemums” with an eye on the social realities of the time in which the story was written. With the analysis of the story, this study challenges the claims that D. H Lawrence is a sexist by feminist critics such as Kate Millet. In the line with these, after a brief information on D. H. Lawrence and his stories that are similar to “Odour of Chrysanthemums” and social, cultural and financial realities of British Industrial society, the story has been handled. In the end, it has been observed that by portraying the main character Elizabeth as a woman who seems to feel a sadistic pleasure in her husband’s death, Lawrence criticizes not femininity but 20th century British society which imposes unbearable responsibilities on women.

Keywords: industrialization, D.H. Lawrence, 20th century British society, social realities about women,