The short stories “Lessons of Love” by Judith Ortiz Cofer and “The Skating Party” by Mena Summers emphasize the illusions of love and how it affects the main characters, of whom are impeded by their feelings in such a way that prevents them from understanding and processing the situation as they would have in any other circumstance. Both are blind to the egotistical agendas of their love interest until the conclusion, and regardless of such neither character regrets the situation or outcome. Even so, the characters experience wants and perform acts that they would normally not have succumbed to had they not been affected by love.
In both stories the egotistical motives of the main love interest is revealed and yet in the moment, neither character …show more content…
Uncle Nathan does not dote on this passing thought whilst in this situation, however it’s shown that he understood Delia’s true motive when speaking to Maida. He chose not to realize the facts before him as he was blinded by the love he had immersed himself within.
Each of the main characters in both stories show no sign of remorse for their actions or the situation, even after the consequences that they suffer seem to outweigh the gains of the prize. In “Lessons of Love” the main character claims that her “[view] is too cynical a view to sustain in the face of that overwhelming rush of emotion that is first love” [Cofer, 185]. By contrast, she mentions previously that she understands the truth behind his actions, and the heartbreak she suffered:
...the few times I saw him in the hallway, he was always rushing away. It would be long weeks of confusion and pain before I realized that the kiss was nothing but a little trophy for his ego. He had no interest in me other than as his adorer. [Cofer, …show more content…
The means of which they go through to obtain that love is specific to each character; however it can be said without doubt that it’s human nature to want things we know we can’t logically have. When we are supplied with those wants, we lose track of ourselves and reality. In “Lessons of Love”, the girl was fully aware of the unlikelihood of her love producing the same affection towards her genuinely. They were separated by traits she had already identified as large obstacles, as “He could not see [her] because [she] was a skinny Puerto Rican girl, a freshman who did not belong to any group he associated with” [Cofer, 182]. Nonetheless, she overlooked this and relished in what he offered her in that moment. This caused her to be unreasonable with her wants, as she was already supplied with the impossible desire, and now expected every other wish to come true. Correspondingly, while Uncle Nathan already had Eunice’s heart, his impulse for Delia caused him to partake in regrettable actions, later affecting his frame of mind. Delia was already married and could not have a normal relationship with Uncle Nathan, but when the slim opportunity of gratification was presented to him, he did not hesitate to fulfil his seemingly impossible want. This impacted his decision after as to which girl he would save: “Eunice deserved better, and [he] knew it.” [Cofer, 199] It was due to his delusion of hope that
In both stories the egotistical motives of the main love interest is revealed and yet in the moment, neither character …show more content…
Uncle Nathan does not dote on this passing thought whilst in this situation, however it’s shown that he understood Delia’s true motive when speaking to Maida. He chose not to realize the facts before him as he was blinded by the love he had immersed himself within.
Each of the main characters in both stories show no sign of remorse for their actions or the situation, even after the consequences that they suffer seem to outweigh the gains of the prize. In “Lessons of Love” the main character claims that her “[view] is too cynical a view to sustain in the face of that overwhelming rush of emotion that is first love” [Cofer, 185]. By contrast, she mentions previously that she understands the truth behind his actions, and the heartbreak she suffered:
...the few times I saw him in the hallway, he was always rushing away. It would be long weeks of confusion and pain before I realized that the kiss was nothing but a little trophy for his ego. He had no interest in me other than as his adorer. [Cofer, …show more content…
The means of which they go through to obtain that love is specific to each character; however it can be said without doubt that it’s human nature to want things we know we can’t logically have. When we are supplied with those wants, we lose track of ourselves and reality. In “Lessons of Love”, the girl was fully aware of the unlikelihood of her love producing the same affection towards her genuinely. They were separated by traits she had already identified as large obstacles, as “He could not see [her] because [she] was a skinny Puerto Rican girl, a freshman who did not belong to any group he associated with” [Cofer, 182]. Nonetheless, she overlooked this and relished in what he offered her in that moment. This caused her to be unreasonable with her wants, as she was already supplied with the impossible desire, and now expected every other wish to come true. Correspondingly, while Uncle Nathan already had Eunice’s heart, his impulse for Delia caused him to partake in regrettable actions, later affecting his frame of mind. Delia was already married and could not have a normal relationship with Uncle Nathan, but when the slim opportunity of gratification was presented to him, he did not hesitate to fulfil his seemingly impossible want. This impacted his decision after as to which girl he would save: “Eunice deserved better, and [he] knew it.” [Cofer, 199] It was due to his delusion of hope that