Love
Hadley falls in love with Ernest, who is nine years her junior. They are quickly married and move to Paris. Being the only ones to rely on in the beginning makes them cling to one another. When friends start to filter into their lives, their bond begins to loosen. They are around couples who are living freely with their lovers and their spouses.
Ernest who likes to be the center of attention is not getting the same attention once Hadley has their baby. He did not want a child because he felt it would take away from him and he finds this to be true. His selfishness leads him into a relationship with a woman who treats him as Hadley did at the beginning of their relationship before motherhood. He wants the three to live together, but Hadley refuses and asks for a divorce. She still loves Ernest but cannot stay in a relationship where he spends his time with another woman.
Jealousy
Kate Smith tries to deter Hadley from pursuing a relationship with Ernest because of jealousy. She likes Ernest, but he does not feel the same way about her: he sees her as a friend. Hadley is jealous of the relationships between Ernest and his colleagues. She feels like an outsider when they are with other writers. She is grouped with the other wives or lovers when Ernest is talking shop. They do not see her as a peer. She finds this insulting and is jealous of the relationship that these people have with her husband.
Hadley is also jealous of Ernest’s relationship with Pauline Pfeiffer. Pauline insinuates herself into Hadley and Ernest’s live by befriending Hadley. She ends up having an affair with Ernest and he trusts her thoughts about his work. She supplants Hadley as Ernest confidante.
Suicide
Hadley loses her father to suicide when she is young. Her own health is precarious, and this leads her mother to be overprotective. This stunts her emotional growth. Even though Ernest is nine years her junior he seems older due to his emotional growth.
Ernest’s family is plagued by suicide. He is constantly considering ways to commit suicide. When his father commits suicide, he becomes more concerned about his mental health. When he is in his sixties, he kills himself as does his brother and sister. Suicide is a major concern in his family.
Ambition
Ernest wants to be a famous writer at any cost. He writes a scathing parody of a friend’s book to further his career. This move loses him the friendship and respect of people who helped his career in the beginning. This ambition leads him to leave his wife and child to pursue a relationship with Pauline, a younger woman who admires his work and wants to help him become a successful writer.
Pauline’s ambition leads her to harm her friendship with Hadley. She wants to be part of Ernest’s life and help him in his work. She insinuates herself in their life and makes herself indispensable to Ernest. Her ambition destroys a marriage and a friendship.
Friendship
Kate Smith and Hadley’s friendship is tested when Hadley begins a relationship with Ernest. Kate is jealous of the relationship, so Hadley keeps it a secret. When Kate finds out about the relationship, her friendship with Hadley is strained. Hadley is faithful in her relationships with friends. She does not believe in hurting anyone and respects those who help her. She is a good and faithful friend.
Ernest is the opposite. He uses people to further himself and when they cannot offer him any more help or support, he does not hesitate to end the friendship usually on bad terms. His actions towards his friends strains his relationship with Hadley. She does not like that he does not respect the people who helped him start his career. This disrespect shows his disregard for others and his narcissism. These are not good qualities for a friend.
