In high school I had an assignment to select two novels that examine and offer revelations about a big theme. I chose romantic love with "Wuthering Heights" and "A Farewell to Arms," but I've been thinking lately about how my perspective has changed over the years. I see now that both of those books, in different ways, portray love as obsessive and possessive. I think I would choose differently today.
I'm curious how others approach this question – what makes a novel feel like it captures something essential about love? Are there particular angles or perspectives on love that resonate more as we get older? What did those high school choices miss that feels more important now?
by ApprehensiveMath5644
2 Comments
Those are some heavy picks for high school lol. I think the obsessive love thing hits different when you’re younger because it feels more “passionate” or whatever, but now that stuff just looks exhausting and kinda toxic
Something like “The Time Traveler’s Wife” or even “Eleanor Oliphant” captures more of what love actually feels like to me now – the quiet daily stuff and how people help each other grow instead of just consuming each other
I think Wellness by Nathan Hill does a great job of exploring the different stages of love in a long, stable relationship. Truth is, love can be “boring” sometimes. Sometime you’re with someone for so long and so in sync that you forget to communicate pertinent informations. You wonder, is this relationship stable or boring? Is this love or comfort?