Genuine love is a something that many characters in the novel desire, yet few ever receive. Consequently, many unknowingly settle for a facade of love to fill the resulting void. A perfect example of this concept is represented in the relationship dynamic of Aron and Abra. When Aron and Abra met as young children, it was “love at first sight” for Aron when he fell solely for her outward beauty. The superficial nature of their love continues through adolescence as they fail to develop anything more than a surface level relationship based on cordial conversations and a lack of emotional discussion. Aron’s ties with the church eventually lead him to idealize Abra as a perfect and pure woman who he truly believes he is in love with. His lacking
