Relationships in Literature Essay Example

Why do relationships often end? According to Psychology Today, many relationships end because of gradual decline in connection, intimacy, and affection. In the short story “Bluffing” by Gail Helgason, and the short story “The Painted Door” by Sinclair Ross, two couples undergo immense challenges of trust, communication and commitment. To maintain a healthy relationship, you need to have exceptional communication, loyalty, and honesty. Without these traits, a relationship can become toxic. While Anne and John were together and more committed, Liam and Gabby are the healthier couple because they are honest with each other, they continue to be loyal, and the couple communicates their needs. 

To form a solid connection between partners, it’s important that each individual be honest with their communication. Unfortunately, John and Anne lack the honesty to keep each other satisfied. Anne subtly mentioned that John should shave his face before Steven came over (Ross 227), reason being that is how Steven has his face, clean and shaved. By Anne asking John to shave his face she was clearing asking for him to have more of a similar appearance to Steven after comparing John to him. This action, by Anne, showed that there was an insecurity about John's appearance, that she was not telling him about. This was just the first flaw in honesty through their relationship. Multiple times throughout the story Anne thinks about Steven, whether it was thinking back to when they were dancing (230) or thinking about his “attractive qualities” (233). Anne thinking of Steven so often shows that she has feelings for Steven, however is not honest to John or herself about these feelings. While John and Anne struggle with honesty, so do Liam and Gabby, however, their honesty is less impactive to their relationships. The honesty within Liam and Gabby’s relationship needs some work. For example when Liam said “I meant for the bear to come after me instead of you” (Helgason 76). Gabby told Liam what to do if he were to come in contact with a bear, and he chose not to listen, run away, and lie to Gabby. Gabby and Liam have better honesty where nothing is being hidden between the two of them, unlike John and Anne where they struggle with honesty as well as loyalty on Anne’s behalf.

Loyalty is one of the most important parts of a relationship, if you do not stay loyal to your partner, you are not only breaking their trust but also showing you do not care and are unsatisfied with your current relationship. During John and Annes relationship, she has danced with other men such as Steven (Ross 230). This was a warning sign in the beginning of the relationship that Anne was unsatisfied with John and felt the need to be with another man. Not only was Anne showing she was unsatisfied with John by dancing with Steven, but also how she was trying to convince John to shave just like Steven (Ross 227). Finally, while John was out in the storm fighting to arrive home, Anne was becoming close with Steven.. Anne realized she had been “unfulfilled” (Ross 239)and then realized “there had always been Steven” (239). It is then shown that Steven and Anne slept together (239). While There are multiple issues with Annes loyalty to John, Liam and Gabby have no issues with loyalty. Throughout the whole story there is never any talk about either one of them being unloyal to each other. The one component both couples struggle with is communication. 

Communication is the most important component of a relationship. Without communication, it makes it difficult to explain feelings and thoughts, as well as cause trust issues, and create an unhealthy relationship. John and Anne, tend to struggle with communication, between the two of them, as they have very little conversation together. Instead of communicating her feelings, Anne attempted to make John feel remorse for her by saying “Pay no attention to me.” “Seven years a farmers wife–it’s time I was used to staying alone.” (226 Ross). Not only did she try to make John feel sorry for her, he offered to stay home if she was afraid, however, she declined the offer by saying “I’m not really afraid” (226). If Anne communicated more with John about her feelings, it would both give them a peace of mind knowing how the other person is truly feeling. Unlike John and Anne, who struggle to communicate their feelings, Liam and Gabby struggle to communicate the future. While Liam did mention heading “down south” Helgason (74), he did not consult Gabby beforehand or ask about her thoughts. On the other hand Gabby did not agree to lease the house since she had not yet spoken to Liam (. By communicating and talking to Gabby prior to making plans, it would have created an even healthier bond between the two of them, instead of it creating conflict within the relationship. 

While both couples have dealt with different problems throughout their relationships, it is obvious that Liam and Gabby have a healthier relationship. The relationship between John and Anne lacks basic communication, loyalty, and honesty, while Liam and Gabby do struggle with communication, they continue to be loyal and for the most part honest. Anne cheated on John with Steven, showing the lack of loyalty. Not only did she cheat on John, but she also failed to communicate her feelings in a healthy way to John. Liam and Gabby did struggle with communicating future plans, however that is something that can improved over time. To have a healthy relationship, you must have honesty, loyalty, and communication. Gabby and Liam may have struggled with multiple of these components, however, they displayed loyalty, and honesty better than John and Anne.