Cutter says of Irene's relationship with Brian: "Irene believes that she has 'a special talent for understanding' Brian, that she 'knew him as well as he knew himself, or better' [58]. [Seven] pages later, however, Irene admits to feeling 'helpless' after Clare has infiltrated their lives [64] ."

The irony in Irene feeling that she understands Brian is that, well, she doesn't. She smothers Brian's deepest desire, and in return he closes himself off from her, and she from him, resulting in conversations and arguments of gestures, distractions, and analogies. Hence, while he is saying one thing about Clare, Irene cannot discern that he very probably means another.

 Create your own educational wiki!Support CommunityPublic, not yet premium Privacy Policy RSS