What did Lucy learn about herself through her relationship with William? What have you learned about yourself through your relationships with others?

What do you believe Lucy learned about herself through her relationship with William? What have you learned about yourself through your relationships with others?

Lucy had no sense of self when she married William. It took his flagrant infidelities for her to realize that she was not being valued in their marriage. i think a healthy childhood helps people to value themselves and I was lucky enough to have had that. As I have grown and matured I have learned that I enjoy relationships that allow me to be myself.

Lucy had the kind of mean-spirited and intimidating upbringing that follows a person throughout life -- she lacked a positive self-esteem until David came along. (William and Catherine certainly didn't help.) I think David was the first person, aside from her girls, who truly cherished her for who she was, imperfections and all. She started living a life in unconditional love with a much-improved sense of self.

I feel fortunate that it's the men in my life who soothed my childhood self-esteem issues by encouraging me in my educational and career goals.

Healthy, loving home life in one's childhood makes a huge difference in a person's stability. Lucy lacked that. I think it is debatable what Lucy learned since she continued to get together with William despite his past behavior. Maybe she did that for "the children's sake."

William was just a continuation of her being treated poorly. His serial adultery woke her up to give up the relationship finally.

Lucy learned that she has power to create a new life in ways that she wants. She learned also that a relationship does not mean subordination, but a partnership of two people who work together to travel a common path together. Through our interactions with others, we learn about ourselves. We “come out” to ourselves - and only then are we healthy enough to engage fully with others. The power of this theme is its universality across persons of any sex or sexual orientation.

The reader learns and "maybe" Lucy learned her relationship with William kept her caught in the dysfunction of her childhood. Stating "William is the only person I ever felt safe with. The only home I ever had." merely transfers the lessons of childhood to her new relationship with him. As you read, he was no home, and she certainly shouldn't have felt safe. Just familar.

I think Lucy learned that it is not ok for people to treat her as they choose; she has value and it needs to be recognized. Her leaving William was acknowledgement of her value.