Introduction Summary and Analysis

The brief introduction establishes the themes of the text and provides guidelines for the author's definitions of numerous emotionally charged words and phrases. The introduction states the purpose of the text as attempting to help a couple survive infidelity provided both partners are seriously committed to preserving the relationship. The situation that has occurred and has been discovered is referred to throughout as an affair. The text defines an affair as a serious breach of trust that results in intense feelings of betrayal; an affair thus may encompass intimate behavior involving a non-marital partner but not involving sexual intercourse. The text does not offer a blanket judgment about whether affairs are good or bad. The text does not categorize individuals as victims, victimizers, betrayed, or betrayers—instead, the text refers to the marital partners as the hurt partner and the...