Introduction
Relationships are one of the fundamental aspects of not only the personal life of each individual but also the plot of most literary works and other major media. Because of it, it is important to be able to differentiate as well as analyze what happy and unhappy types of relationships look like. The aim of this work is to analyze, compare, and contrast relationships from such works as Eye of the Night and the Lie in such categories as routine, communication, and happiness.
Relationship Routine Analysis in Eye of the Night
After reading Eye of the Night, there is a picture that is formed that the relationship routine between Jorge and the author of the work looks sad and suffer from the absence of any romance. This can be confirmed by the fact that they only make love and breakfast together (Berg and Suárez 22, 25). Jorge is also bored when he tells her about something, and she is not interested in having sex with him (Berg and Suárez 24, 25). It is partly because of such a rudimentary relationship routine that the protagonist went to the balcony to look through the telescope every night, and later the couple broke up.
Relationship Routine Analysis in the Lie
The routine relationship between the protagonist of the Lie and his wife, Clover, has a more positive connotation. He takes care of the child while his wife studies for an advocate degree; he also does housework and sometimes goes to his workplace (Boyle). They also share joint leisure, and their relationship does not suffer from a lack of romance (Boyle). Moreover, the protagonist is very lazy, as well as consistently late. However, the protagonist has one critical negative trait, namely the habit of lying, which puts their marriage at considerable risk at the end of the story. An attentive and erudite reader may notice that the author of the story is very infantile and also forgot to grow up.
Relationship Communication Analysis in Eye of the Night
The couple Karla and Jorge suffer from a lack of not only romantic but also even just regular communication. When reading this story, the reader may get the feeling that Jorge is like a robot that every day performs only two primary functions, namely “making love” and asking for breakfast (Berg and Suárez 22, 25). That is why Karla watched her neighbor with such an obsession because she wanted some new, romantic, and non-sexual interaction with her man. It is also worth mentioning that she broke up with Jorge precisely when after seeing an idyllic situation on the balcony between a neighbor and an unknown woman (Berg and Suárez 28).
Relationship Communication Analysis in the Lie
The only noticeable and significant flaw in relational communication in this couple is the lack of sincerity and honesty on the part of the husband. He never tells her that he takes a day off at work, that he lies to his boss, that his work does not bring him happiness (Boyle). Besides this factor, their communication is of open and calm nature, full of love and romance. They also communicate with mutual friends and work colleagues (Boyle). Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the protagonist has some psychological problems or barriers that he is afraid to share with his wife
Relationship Happiness Analysis in Eye of the Night
It is safe to say that the relationship between Karla and Jorge is not of a happy nature if we consider this situation from the point of view of the protagonist. A moment of true relationship happiness between neighbors seen through a telescope leads Karl into sadness and anger at the same time (Berg and Suárez 28). Because of that, she understands that Jorge will not bring her happiness, either love (Berg and Suárez 28). Their relationship ends in a happy liberation for the author of the story, and a sad departure for her ex-partner.
Relationship Happiness Analysis in the Lie
Throughout the narrative, the relationship between the author of the story and Clover may seem quite happy to the reader. Spouses almost do not conflict, except for the episode with the change of name (Boyle). They do not emit any envy, jealousy, sadness, or other negative feelings in relation to each other. Although the ending of this story destroys this beautiful facade of a happy marriage, the author deliberately keeps silent about what happened after the truth was revealed (Boyle). However, a lie, especially about a child, can significantly undermine trust in a couple. Hypothetically speaking, their relationship may remain happy, but the lie factor will always haunt their relationship.
Comparison and Contrast of Negative Patterns of Relationships from Eye of the Night and the Lie
The relationship of the couple from Eye of the Night is much worse than the condition of the spouses from the Lie. It is indicated by the presence of such underlying factors of unhappy relationships as control, disrespect, and intimidation (“Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships”). The reader may also find out that there are signs of sexual violence. According to youth.gov, sexual violence is when “one dating partner pressures or forces the other into sexual activity against his or her will or without consent” (“Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships”). The only major flaw in the relationship between the protagonist of the Lie and Clover is dishonesty.
Comparison and Contrast of Positive Patterns of Relationships from Eye of the Night and the Lie
Spouses from Lies have many more signs of a positive relationship than a couple from Eye of the Night. In the analysis of both narratives, spouses have such virtues as mutual respect, compromise, individuality, good communication, and healthy sexual relationship (“Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships”). It is also important to mention that protagonist of the Lie has anger control, unlike Jorge, who can be seen as very aggressive at the end of the story. According to youth.gov, “we all get angry, but how we express it can affect our relationships with others” (“Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships”). Relations between Karla and Jorge, in turn, have such positive patterns as self-confidence and fighting fair.
Conclusion
This work analyzes, differentiates, and compares the relationship between the partners represented in Eye of the Night and the Lie. The key categories in the current analysis are routine, communication, and happiness. The author of this essay found that the relationship of the spouses from the Lie has more features that are positive and fewer shortcomings compared to a couple of Karla and Jorge. Nevertheless, the latter also have their indisputable advantages, but in a smaller amount.
Works Cited
Berg, Mary G., and Karla Suárez. Open Your Eyes and Soar: Cuban Women Writing Now. White Pine Press, 2003.
Boyle, Thomas C. “The Lie.” The New Yorker, 2008, Web.
“Characteristics of Healthy & Unhealthy Relationships.” 2020. Web.