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An Analysis Of Jerry Conant's The Reacting Of Richard

2936 Words12 Pages

The novel is the drama of inner mental conflict of Jerry Conant who wants to decide which among these two women will make his life the happiest. This quest of hero for an ontological freedom finds him entangled in the mundane domestic relations from which he wants to relieve. He wants to be free from all the social constraints he has due to being married. Marriage has been summarized by Kerry Ahearn for her excellent argument as:
Marriage is enforced by the ceremonial code and notarized by the contractual law, but confirmation of one’s existence requires passion, and passion demands freedom.” (P. 62)
The desired freedom from marriage leads him to the freedom of adultery grounding such a sexual dynamics. Updike explicitly denies the connection between freedom and adultery in Marry Me though the basic question is left unanswered if adultery implies freedom.
The novel is set in Connecticut in the early 1960s, opens with the traditional triangle of love. The traditional struggle of two men for a woman is replaced by the struggle of two women competing for a man.It is the story of Jerry Conant; an incurable romantic man conducts his …show more content…

The reaction of other character illustrates his aura of delusion and immaturity in which they have clocked themselves all along. At the last part of the book, Ruth became a stronger character and we begin to care about what happens to her. She keeps a strict watch on the lovers. She also tries to tempt Jerry from her treatment and love to him. Though she show him that she is ready to leave him but in reality she is not willing to destroy her marriage.Richard is ready to sue Jerry for his offense of adultery with his wife without marrying her. He leaves Sally alone at home and goes away from the house but visits her frequently to check if she is fine. This becomes too confusing situation that gives three possible ends of the

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