“I am not fit to marry. I am often cross, and I like my own way, and I have a distaste for men.”
Emily and Loius’ marriage is a rocky one that entails jealousy, dishonesty, distrust, and lack of healthy communication. Both are at fault because they are either not willing to put any effort into the union or harbor distrust for the other. For instance, Emily is married but cannot avoid the attention and romantic intentions she gets from other men apart from her husband. They eventually separate and both defend their side of the matter with Emily taking her stance in the statement. In the assertion, she affirms that she is not willing to compromise for the marriage as much as it requires her to.
“But words spoken cannot be recalled, and many a man and many a woman who has spoken a word at once regretted, are far too proud to express that regret.”
The narrative consists of various love affairs and marriage that have their fair share of issues. From a lack of communication to pride, the couples contend with their own failures personally and occasionally do not reconcile them. Specifically, the individual failures of Emily and Louis that cause their union to end are never really resolved even on Loius’ deathbed. He harbored distrust towards his wife’s friendship with another man and is certain because his jealousy cannot allow otherwise. Both cannot allow their faults and are proud to admit that they regret their choices and views.
“An accepted lover, who deserves to have been accepted, should devote every hour at his command to his mistress.”
The novel highlights the complexities of romance, passion, and matters of courtship among young people. Thus, the disagreements between men and women on matters of courtship are bound to arise as a result. The women in the narrative have to deal with interest from different suitors and determine their worthiness. There are several love affairs and hence mistrust accompanies them and the partners need to be reassured otherwise. The statement reflects the attachment that the lovers require for their choice to be validated and receive the affection they expected.
