preview

The Girls Of Their Summer Dresses By Irwin Shaw

Decent Essays

There is no specific behavior, idea, or emotion that makes for a good marriage, though it is common for people to believe so. They think marriage will be easy, although the reality requires constant work. Good marriages consist of communication, honesty, passion, intimacy and commitment. In the short story, “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses,” by Irwin Shaw, Michael and Frances’s relationship lacks these qualities; therefore, their marriage was not ideal.
Most importantly, the husband and wife need to both want the relationship and the lifelong commitment. In “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses,” part of the reason Michael and Frances’s marriage is falling apart, is because marriage is something Michael clearly did not want. When Frances asks him if he wants to be free from their relationship, he responds with “sometimes I feel like I would want to be free” (Shaw 8). Commitment is key to any relationship’s success. If two people enter a relationship, but have no desire or ability to work for it, the relationship is going to fail. Both people must commit to each other, as well as to the relationship. These are two different things. Commitment to another person, means being loyal, faithful, caring, and in touch with the other’s needs. Commitment to the relationship, means understanding your partner and working to put the relationship first. People often misinterpret putting the relationship first, as being selfless and giving in to the other person. Unfortunately, the

Get Access