Much of the conversation between adults in Only Children revolves around love and romance. Each character has a different ideal of romance and its role in his/her life. For example, to Celia love causes pain, but romance justifies it. To Anna romantic love is an opiate that masks pain and numbs one's compassion for humankind at large. Celia serves as a foil to Anna's more noble view—trapped unhappily in marriage and antiquated notions of romance, she lacks Anna's strength and freedom. Yet Anna is alone.

This does not go unnoticed by Mary Ann, who, by the final chapter, seems to be embarking on the middle road, viewing love as a necessary disease. This final chapter raises provocative topics for discussion.

1. What has Mary Ann learned about love? How has it changed her?

2. Do the parents and children depart feeling closer to Anna? Are...