Do you think Britt-Marie and Kent were well suited? Do you think that the marriage changed Britt-Marie? How can being in a bad relationship affect someone's personality?

Discuss Britt-Marie's marriage to Kent. Did you think that they were well suited for each other? Do you think that the marriage changed Britt-Marie? How can being in a bad relationship affect someone's personality?

I found Kent very difficult to like and felt rather sorry for Britt-Marie who seemed typical of the mind set that says women need to conform to men's expectations to have a relationship. I do think that she became a bit more assertive in the marriage - the example of moving his things around in his drawers being an example of doing something to get what she needs.

In a sense they were well-suited in the beginning of their marriage, because Britt-Marie has been taught, mostly by her mother, not to believe in herself. She needed a foil -Kent - to keep her believing that way. All of that changed as it become clear to her that Kent was deceiving her in their relationship. Towards the end of the book, as Kent fades out, Britt-Marie comes into her own. It will take her awhile to find her way, but she'll do it.

No, I don't think they were well suited. I thought getting out of that relationship was the best thing that Britt-Marie could do. And, yes, it definitely changed her. But I am just a certain that their marriage changed Kent too. Because every relationship changes who we are. I once read a book (memoir) by a woman who had suffered a devastating illness and in it she pondered how much happier her husband would be today if he hadn't had to go through that terrible experience with her. She felt sad that her illness brought him unhappiness. That made me notice that we we all change given whatever life partner we have. It's not conscious most of the time and we don't do it intentionally "to please" them. It's just that our individual quirks adjust as we adjust to long term relationships. Indeed, I think if we don't change in many barely perceptible ways our relationships just wouldn't last.

I believe Kent was a very bad choice for Britt-Marie. She just settled for less than she deserved. Living in an unhappy marriage leaves you very empty and your regrets turn into anger. Once free of Kent she began to be the person she was before the marriage.

They were not well-suited; Britt-Marie realized that too late. Thank goodness it was not too late for her to embark on a life without Kent--hopefully happiness will be hers to enjoy.