Chapter 5 - Learning From the Affair Summary and Analysis

Chapter 5 begins the last of three major divisions within the text: Stage 3 - Recovering from the Affair: "How Do We Rebuild Our Life Together?" The five chapters in the second stage present strategies for understanding the affair and recovering from it. Chapter 5 is the second-longest chapter in the text and addresses an often-overlooked topic. An affair is a damaging and tumultuous period in any relationship; an event probably caused by a multiplicity of underlying causes which are often poorly understood. Committing to remain together without analyzing and correcting deficiencies is likely to lead to future heartache and probably additional future affairs. However, not all aspects of surviving an affair need be negative—if examined and understood, an affair can act as an unfortunate but powerful springboard for partners to recommit...