Irwin Shaws The Girls in Their Summer Dresses Essay

Irwin Shaws The Girls in Their Summer Dresses In Irwin Shaw?s ?The Girls in Their Summer Dresses,? Michael?s character may be questioned by the reader. He may seem to portray himself as an unfaithful husband who essentially gets caught in the act early on in the story. However, Michael had yet to do anything to physically betray his wife, and there is no proof that he would in the future. In society, many spouses or fiancà ©es have fantasized about having sexual relations with another man or woman. These people have probably questioned their faithfulness to their ?better half? if they have succumbed to such temptation. However, so long as these thoughts do not become actions, they can not be judged as morally wrong. As†¦show more content†¦Frances is visibly upset by Michael paying more attention to these women than to her, as most people would be, but before she can present her case, Michael proposes that they get a drink intending to evade the conversation completely. While walking Michael makes it very clear that he has ?not touched another woman? (p.1035). Michael states right away that he had not been unfaithful to Frances in their five years of marriage, but Frances is uneasy about this information. What hurts more during their conversations is that Michael is painfully honest. This offsets society?s argument that it would be much better to know if they had been cheated on than if someone did not and it continued anyway. Frances?s cries and argumentative points show that this is nowhere close to fact and that it seems to be much better for a couple if one lies about what he or she thinks or does behind his or her spouse?s back, as Frances portrays: ?Stop talking about how pretty this woman is or that one. Nice eyes, nice breasts, a pretty figure, good voice.? She mimicked his voice. ?Keep it to yourself. I?m not interested.? (p. 1038) Later in the story, Frances reveals her deepest fear that he is ?going to make a move? (Paragraph 75, p.1037). Frances asks a demanding question to Michael of whether or not he knows if he is going to follow through with his fantasies, and Michael answers shadily: ?You know (if you?re going to cheat),? Frances persisted. ?Don?t you knowShow MoreRelated Irwin Shaws The Girls in Their Summer Dresses Essay687 Words   |  3 PagesIrwin Shaws The Girls in Their Summer Dresses In The Girls in Their Summer Dresses, it is necessary to explore the personal differences that cause problems in the relationship of the couple. The details of the story will lead to a conclusion that for Michael the relationship could just be a mere convenience or an affection solely generated by his physical wanting of Frances, so with the way she looks and appreciates the girls of New York. Frances calling the Stevensons shows her attitudeRead MoreWhat Is Love? Definition Essay1113 Words   |  5 Pagesmarriage and love, betrayal and devotion. For instance, let us compare the visions of marriage we observe in three short stories: Raymond Carvers What we talk about when we talk about love, Kate Chopins story The Storm and Irwin Shaws The Girls in their Summer Dresses. Raymond Carver’s â€Å"What we talk about when we talk about love is a story about two couples who gather on a pre-dinner drinking meeting and one of them-Mel, starts talking about love. He cannot admit that his wifes abusiveRead MoreRelationships in The Girls in Their Summer Dresses Essay985 Words   |  4 PagesHow would one feel if ones significant other was constantly disobeying the relationship? In Irwin Shaw’s â€Å"The Girls in Their Summer Dresses†, he shows how important having a trustworthy and honest relationship is. This short story highlights the flaws in romantic relationships by demonstrating how one needs some type of relationship in life, how fragile a relationship can be, and how many take loved ones for granted. Friendship, Role model, Boyfriend/Girlfriend- all these are examples of a relationshipRead MoreEssay about The Girls in Their Summer Dresses724 Words   |  3 PagesIrwin Shaws short story The Girls in Their Summer Dresses is about a couples marriage in danger. The man in the relationship, Michael, desires other women. His wife, Frances, knows this and is confused about her feelings in their committed relationship. Michael and Frances are jeopardizing their marriage. Both of them have different attitudes and expectations for a committed relationship therefore leading to a failing marriage. Michael desires other women regardless of the fact that he is