Comment on theme

The story undertakes a rather unorthodox exploration of the idea of love in its peculiar narrative and circumstances, as the central characters experience highly particular and idiosyncratic challenges within their love relationships. Grant and Fiona function as the most central relationship in the story, and the narrative repeatedly emphasizes the history of their relationship as defined by idiosyncratic symbiotic actions. The narration states that when young Fiona was being courted by multiple suitors, “She made fun of them all and of Grant as well” (513). However, they married and became strongly attached, so much so that their marriage was able to survive Grant’s marital infidelities. The final challenge of their relationship manifests in Fiona’s memory loss. However, the entrenched nature of Grant’s love for Fiona keeps him from acting in any way counter to Fiona’s specific personal needs. Even when Grant must help preserve Fiona and Aubrey’s romantic relationship, he does not succumb to any form of jealousy.