Elizabeth and Tom

Elizabeth and Tom's relationship shows readers that love can't be stereotyped, as Tom's love and acceptance for Elizabeth is real - arguably stronger than her love and acceptance for herself, and it is only after Elizabeth caves to societal pressures to be thinner that her and Tom's relationship suffers and eventually deteriorates. When Elizabeth and Tom first meet, she is twice the size she should be, but Tom seems oblivious to her weight. He sees her, beyond the outer shell, and genuinely loves her for the woman she is. They share an interest in music, and spend a great deal of time talking on the phone together, enjoying each other's company. Tom meets Elizabeth’s mother who agrees he is a keeper and before long, they become man and wife.

As Tom is a thin man, when they begin sleeping together Elizabeth worries she'll...