Toxic Relationships

The novel’s portrayal of friendship is a different idea of the friendship one considers to be friendship. Rather than a close friendship these characters have a rather toxic friendship. The friendship found between the characters is truly toxic as they wonder without goals for themselves, treat each other different, and interact different once they are under the influence of alcohol. Each character plays an important role to one another. These characters cannot rely on each other and even less trust one another openly about their feelings. The characters in the book are bonded through war experiences rather than because they are really friends. Toxic friendship is found between Brett and Jake. This relationship between the two draws Jake to Brett every time she seeks his help. “Toxic means poisonous, damaging or deadly. A toxic relationship drains the life from you, damages your self-esteem, or kills your dreams. While this sounds deadly, toxic relationships can be subtle and do vast harm before we realize it.” The relationship found between the two characters is damaging and hurtful to Jake because Brett damages his self-esteem and masculinity. Brett reminds Jake of his war injury and how they cannot be together because he would not be able to satisfy her needs due to the injury. It is …show more content…
For example, Pedro Romero and Brett’s relationship interacting was because Jake invited him over to the table just to make Brett happy. This then allows for Brett to toss him aside while she is in search of other men and simply running back to him when things go bad in between and she needs a support system – Jake. These characters are found wondering around from place to place with no set destination because they do not have goals set for themselves. All the characters have lost hope in religion, faith, love, and a future for