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The Lion Seeker


"Here is the South African novel I've been waiting for." - Lynn Freed
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Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

Created: 08/24/14

Replies: 8

Posted Aug. 24, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

Isaac's yearning for Yvonne Linhurst exposes him to people who have, whereas he has previously been surrounded by people who have not. Isaac still pursues her. Why? What does this say about Isaac? What do Yvonne's actions say about her? Can you think of any other couples in literature with the same differences in background? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?


Posted Sep. 02, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jeanettel

Join Date: 01/05/12

Posts: 61

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

Romeo and Juliet from two families that hated each other to the death that hatred was the reason why Romeo and Juliet's affair ended tragically.
Lancelot and Guinevere, she was the queen of Camelot and wife of King Arthur, while Lancelot was a trusted knight of Arthur's Round Table, when they consummate their adulterous passion it paves the way for the fall of Camelot and Arthur's death.


Posted Sep. 04, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paml

Join Date: 10/25/12

Posts: 83

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

The Great Gatsby, Gatsby and Daisy. All seem to lead to tragedy. Lots of paralells to Isaac and Yvonne. Wealth, real estate, desire to live in the right neighborhood, station in society, birthright.


Posted Sep. 06, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebajane

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 320

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

This is an age old theme. I am sure we could go on and on with examples. Would love to hear others. West Side Story comes to mind along with Romeo and Juliet.


Posted Sep. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
irisf

Join Date: 01/16/12

Posts: 136

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

The first one that comes to my mind was Theodore dreiser's An American Tragedy. The protagonist murders his pregnant girlfriend when he catches the eye of a socialite. There was no way that Isaac's relationship with Yvonne was going to end well. There were too many basic differences between them, such as religion, education, and culture. He was also portrayed as being physically unattractive. I felt this was a flaw in the storyline for I could see no reason why Yvonne would've paid any attention to Isaac from the onset


Posted Sep. 07, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeh

Join Date: 06/15/11

Posts: 222

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler are somewhat star crossed lovers. He came from a moneyed family in Charleston, but was a rogue to the aristocracy; Scarlett came from a hard working family who clawed their way to the top. Although Yvonne and Isaac aren't totally parallels to these two, I can see some of the same qualities in the characters


Posted Sep. 19, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
barbarab

Join Date: 04/15/11

Posts: 39

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

Romeo & Juliet are very obvious, but I thought of Cathy & Heathcliffe , who were extremely tragic.


Posted Sep. 23, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
christineb

Join Date: 10/13/11

Posts: 120

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

I so agree with the reader who mentioned An American Tragedy. The disparity between the socialite and the protaganist was huge. How about Pride and Prejudice- rich Mr. Darcy and sweet Elizabeth. He never quit persuing her either.


Posted Oct. 08, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
MarieA

Join Date: 10/12/11

Posts: 256

RE: Can you think of any other couples in literature with differences in background similar to Isaac and Yvonne? How do Isaac and Yvonne compare to these others?

One could go on and on listing all the characters in literature who looked beyond their social status for a mate and ended up suffering the consequences of unrequited love. This is one aspect of human nature--reaching for the unreachable-- that will repeat itself in life and in literature for all time.


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