The Fatal Relationship Between Gil And Irene In Shadow Tag

The fatal relationship between Gil and Irene Shadow Tag is about a married couple named Gil and Irene. Gil is a painter and is focus is painting Irene, even though this causes a strain in their relationship. As the book goes on, the relationship starts getting violent and it starts to affect their children Riel, Florian, and Stoney. In most cases, one spouse is responsible for all the problems in the relationship. This is not the case for this couple because when Gil does something to Irene, she does something to hurt Gil and the cycle continues. Both Gil and Irene are locked in a dangerous relationship, where one person brings out the others bad side. There are three instances that show the extent of this toxic relationship, that ultimately leads to the fourth instance which leads to their death. …show more content…
Instead of confronting Gil, she decides to start toying with him and using his insecurities to manipulate him. When Gil reads the diary, he discovers the fake entry and stirred him into an outrage. Most couples would sit down and discuss the problem one side had with the other reading their diary, but Irene seems to get a sort of “high” when she tricks Gil through her diary. Irene writes in her blue notebook, “With the same shame I feel when I imagine your reading my diary, I admit at times I find this thrilling.” (Erdrich, pg.50). This quote shows that even though she knows that she should be embarrassed about him reading her diary and ashamed that she is leading him on, she feels excited at the thought. This proves that their relationship is dangerous because the act of him reading her diary, has brought out the worst in Irene and is making her want to continue feeling that sense of “high” or thrill. The act of him reading her diary, is one of the greatest examples that show how bad their codependent relationship