This story is mainly about sex: having it, not having it, being worried about it, etc. And marriage is an institution designed around allowing people to get it on in a legally binding fashion. The newlywed couple discusses their marriage quite a bit: the wife is worried it won't work out and the husband says that they're not really married yet (because it hasn't been consummated.)
But beyond the sexual anxieties, the story raises real questions about marriage. What makes a good marriage tick, anyway? And will these characters be able to give each other enough affection and understanding to let their marriage endure?
Questions About Marriage
- Is this shaping up to be a good or a bad marriage? Or is too early to tell?
- How crucial is the sex life part of marriage? Is it more important than other parts of the relationship, or less important?
- Does pointless bickering necessarily mean a marriage won't be good?
- What do you think are the keys to a good marriage (or a good relationship)? List those the couple has and those they don't have.
Chew on This
"Here We Are" suggests that Nietzsche's statement "When marrying, ask yourself this question: Do you believe that you will be able to converse well with this person into your old age? Everything else in marriage is transitory" is true.
"Here We Are" suggests that Abraham Lincoln's statement "Marriage is neither heaven nor hell, it is simply purgatory" is true.