In this blogpost, I would like to discuss the relationship between Jake Barns and Lady Ashley. In many ways, their relationship symbolizes a perfect relationship that could never happen. What is stopping their relationship from prospering?
In the text, Brett says that she could never have a proper relationship with Jake. This is due to Jake's injury that renders him unable to have sex. This is a deal-breaker to Brett, because she seems to need to fulfill her sexual desire. This is highlighted in the text when Brett stands Jake up so she can continue flirting with Count Mippipopolous. The reason she does this is because she knows Jake will never be able to fulfill her desires. This also brings up the question, "Why does Brett still continue this romantic relationship with Jake (e.g kissing)?
I believe this is because she finds comfort in Jake. They have clearly known each other for a long time and know each other well. Therefore, she can tell Jake all her problems and Jake will be there for her. In return, Jake gets small snippets of what their relationship COULD have been. If you think about their relationship in this way, its almost as if Brett is tormenting Jake with the possibility that there is still hope of them being together. Maybe this slight romantic relationship is just what Jake needs.
It seems that the both Jake and Brett have characteristics that are keeping this relationship apart. For Jake, it is his inability to have sex, which is what Brett wants in a relationship. For Brett, it is her tendency to avidly seek out a "fix" for her sexual desires. If they got together in a relationship, Brett would constantly cheat on Jake, which would leave them both unhappy.
Despite not being officially in a romantic relationship, I believe that both Jake and Brett do love each other. In the text, Jake very really jealous of the homosexual guys in the club. This implies that he cares for Brett and thinks that they are "wasting" Brett. He also gets upset at Cohn when Cohn asks Jake to set him up with Brett. This jealousy really highlights his affection towards her. We know Brett cares for Jake because she wont even start consider marrying Jake. This is because she knows she will constantly hurt Jake, and is trying to protect him.
I guess their relationship right now is the most beneficial for them both.
I agree that they love each other. And out of her love for Jake, she just doesn't want to hurt him in the long run. But I do think that Jake's love for Brett is greater than her love for him. Like you said, when Cohn asks Jake to set him up with Brett, Jake isn't happy at all. He's in a tough situation. Do you think Brett is good for him though?
ReplyDeleteI like the way you debated their relationship, weighing the pros and cons and exploring what's holding them back. I can't say that I agree with you about their current relationship being the best one for their situation, though. In a perfect world, we obviously would want Brett to love Jake for who he is and/or we'd want Jake to be able to have sex, so that nothing is holding them back from being together. However, one thing that we know, especially with the flaws in these characters, is that nothing is perfect. I think that a better relationship between Brett and Jake would be one where they remain friends rather than reopening wounds by kissing each, others, etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Jake and Brett love each other. From what we've seen so far Jake shows way more passion for Brett than for anyone else (I'm thinking back to the scene with him alone in his room). I don't think we've seen enough from Brett's point of view to understand the extent of her love for Jake, however I think you make a good point by saying Brett is trying to protect him. I think to understand what relationship would be the best for these two we need more information about their interactions with other people.
ReplyDeleteYou made some nice points, Arjun. There's definitely a deep connection running between Jake and Brett, and a lot of potential for a meaningful relationship if it weren't for Jake's injury. But I felt like it was a bit unfair for Jake. He sees Brett running around with other men, but still knows she is emotionally attached to him and thinks about how it could've been. Shouldn't she just back off and let him let her go? Or is it better for them to still have that relationship, to satisfy some of their needs? Is this the best it's ever going to get?
ReplyDeleteI agree that the relationship between Jake and Brett is quite the dramatic "impossible love" story. It was quite heartbreaking when it was shown that there was a sexual barrier in the relationship. It provided context for the deep hurt that Jake feels, and explained a lot about the way that he behaved.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up the point that Brett is tormenting Jake with the idea of a possibility of them two being together and that makes me think that Brett is actually just using Jake as an emotional backup that will always be there for her.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Jake and Brett is definitely a complicated one. I think that they both get a certain degree of emotional security/assistance from each other, as you describe. Further, I think that your idea that Brett won't marry Jake because she doesn't want to hurt him is an important one. Clearly, she's happy to cheat on Michael, and presumably her earlier husbands as well- which leads to the implication that she truly does want to make Jake happy, but believes she wouldn't be able to. Overall, I think that they do love each other, but there are some serious complicating factors.
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