On page 293 Karen says, "We strike such dark bargains for love, don't we?" What do you think she meant by that. Was it true then? Is there any truth to it today?
Created: 08/26/16
Replies: 8
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
On page 293 Karen says, "We strike such dark bargains for love, don't we?" What do you think she meant by that. Was it true then? Is there any truth to it today?
Join Date: 02/08/16
Posts: 514
One strikes a "dark bargain" when they settle for less than they deserve. Karen and Beryl were both willing to settle for what little they could get of Denys, even though they knew he'd never totally commit to either one of them. They also put up with the other woman's affairs with the man they loved. Another "dark bargain" was the friendship they were supposed to share. Yet, Beryl would risk that to gain access to Denys.
Join Date: 10/13/14
Posts: 176
I think Karen was telling Beryl that she knew about her longing for, and desire to be Denys' lover, in spite of the fact that Karen had been his itinerant choice. They both must have known they could never truly have Denys to themselves.
Join Date: 03/26/14
Posts: 139
All three -- Denys, Beryl and Karen -- struck a dark bargain for what they thought was love by tolerating the unsatisfying pieces of a relationship that they just couldn't come to face-to-face terms with. None of them was entirely happy within it, least of all Karen, I think. I felt that Denys had the upper hand and played both women for what he could get. I'm not certain that millennial women would put up with a man like like Denys today.
Join Date: 08/30/14
Posts: 265
Yes I think it was true for Karen, Denys and Beryl because they chose to bind themselves to each other in an unhealthy way. Unfortunately, this is true now for many relationships.
Join Date: 05/10/15
Posts: 17
I think they all paid a price for love; Karen & Beryl missed out on what could've been a lifelong friendship and yet they just skirted the edges, not always politely. Love IS blind! Both women were willing to sacrifice anything for Denys's affection. He certainly wasn't capable of long lasting love!
Join Date: 07/29/14
Posts: 101
Karen was in love with Denys but knew deep down that he would never fully commit to her. She decided to stay with him even though she knew he wouldn't marry her and also that he had a relationship with Beryl. She accepted that she would likely end up heartbroken but she would enjoy what she could.
I think we make cost benefit decisions all the time, especially when it comes to relationships. Some people are willing to face eventual heartbreak in order to experience intense feelings in the moment.
Join Date: 10/10/13
Posts: 41
When one falls hopelessly in love, dark bargains are disguised as blind hopes. Yes it is still true today. Both Beryl and Karen wanted and needed Denys so badly that having him any way they might was initially enough but I believe each hoped she would prevail as the one and only. He fostered this behavior and obsession in each of them.
Join Date: 10/04/15
Posts: 102
Within the lust filled society that they existed, I am sure Karen felt she had made a legitimate choice for love, as that love always ended with heartache. And to be exposed to brashly to this dark society at such a young age, while suffering through her own heartbreaks, Beryl fell right into the attitudes and behaviors she saw exhibited. There was nothing dishonorable as long as it was not discovered by society - but unfortunately for Beryl, her secrets were not well kept. I was never sure that Denys felt he was part of a triangle. We heard Karen and Beryl's perspective, but it is likely that Denys, acting as the free-spirit he believed himself to be, was fond of these women but not exclusive even to them.
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