Is sacrifice necessary to prove loyalty? Are such sacrifices fundamental to romantic love?

In remembering Mae, Daniel muses, "Never did she risk her good name to protect his." Is sacrifice necessary to prove loyalty? Are such sacrifices fundamental to romantic love?

In my opinion, it is not necessary. Loyalty is proven through actions and deeds.

To some degree I think anyone in a relationship they care about finds themselves taking part in activities or giving up activities that may not be consistent with their partner. I think this is just the normal give and take of a healthy relationship. Some times those activities are more significant, as in the case of Daniel's support of Nora's desire to study abroad. It underscores the deep love they share.

When I read this part, my first thought was that Mae should have come to his defense. I didn't think that would have been a "sacrifice." To me, it was more telling about her character that she did not come to Daniel's defense.

Compromise is necessary to sustain a relationship. Loyalty is shown through staying through hard times as well as good. It does not mean defending something you feel is wrong or accepting something that is detrimental to your own health and well-being.

I don't think sacrifice is necessary to prove loyalty. And my first response to the question are sacrifices fundamental to romantic love - was absolutely not. However, the more I thought about this, I see sacrifices, no matter how seemingly insignificant, play a important role in love - and not only romantic love. We may not consider our behavior as a sacrifice, but in the eyes of others, it may be considered just that.

I think that when you truly love someone, anything that you do give up shouldn't be considered a sacrifice, but a mutual understanding of how things will be in the relationship. Sacrifice has a negative connotation in my mind. I do believe in loyalty to the person you love, though, and that means standing up for them and believing in them no matter what they do.

In my opinion, whether it be romantic love, familial love, platonic love, etc. it does require some sort of "sacrifice", although the degree to which you sacrifice may differ, In some ways "compromise" is another word for sacrifice, so yes I think sacrifice is found in ANY relationship that you care about or find important.

I do not think sacrifice is a necessity but loyalty is whether it it is in romantic love or with one's friends or family and as others have said comprise is needed.

No, I do not believe sacrifice is required to show loyalty. One can be a loyal colleague, friend or love interest and still set personal boundaries, be true to one’s self and self interest, and be honest.

Where there is love, there is compromise. In love's truest form, the participants do not feel sacrifice is involved. The selfless acts are second nature as part of the love shared. However, "in real life", relationships are complicated and not always driven by love but by an individual's needs and that may be labeled as sacrifice.

I agree with Paulak and Katherine but, unlike Jody, I think Mae would have sacrificed in her social standing and parental relationship if she had defended Daniel.