Small World, part three

1. This section covers a plot arc in which Philip meets Joy and they reassume their relationship; but shortly after he decides not to break ties with his wife. Is he making the right decision by staying with Hilary? What do you think will happen to his character and his relationships?

To be honest, when I wrote this question, I had solidified an answer, and by the time I got down to this part of the typing, I have begun to doubt myself. I am truly confused as to what the right decision for Philip is. He is caught in a very difficult situation, but it is notably all his fault. If he had separated from Hilary long ago, when he began to feel as though the marriage was over, he may have saved himself, and Hilary, much trouble and pain. "We nearly separated ten years ago. I think we should have done," Philip states (221) to Joy while on the train; and he makes another point for their divorce: "I've stood in Hilary's way. She'd do better on her own" (221). Though this may be another of his excuses to forget her, it is true that their marriage is probably holding both of them back. Furthermore, my personal beliefs influence my statement that they should just get separated. I believe that couples should separate if they truly believe they might have to, most particularly for their children's sake, but also for their own mental health. On the other hand, there appears to be a rekindled flame after Philip kissed Hilary in the taxi. This leads to a confounding conflict: who does he stay with? At the end of the chapter, it seems as though he spares Hilary the bad news out of cowardice to let her down; but it seems to me as though he is hopeful that they will repair their relationship. Though he believes that he loves Joy (which he states quite rashly to someone with whom he has only spent one night), it is probably the equivalent of Calisto's love for Melibea in The Celestina: he lusts after her, but does not truly know her well enough to love her. Philip probably feels a responsibility in taking care of his child, but he is turning it into an idealized life with a person he barely knows. Hilary is a person whom he truly fell in love with; he had new experiences with her, lived with her for many years, and once felt a passion that may now be returning. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure Philip will figure something out (though it is guaranteed that someone will be hurt in the end).

2. What are your thoughts on Persse's journey so far? Will he reach his goal? Has he changed at all?

In my opinion, Persse is mirroring his model character (Perceval), by entertaining a pretty impossible task. To locate a person somewhere in the world without any solid information proves to be much more difficult than he thought. (Of course, he set off with the naive hope that he could find her or her family within a whole country). It seems as though Persse's obstacle in completing his journey is the same as Perceval's: himself. Persse becomes overconfident and overwhelmed by his romanticism, forgetting the logical point of view, and instead brashly setting on a quest with little information to work on. He is still naive, without changing at all as a character (much like Perceval). For whatever reason, he acts betrayed by Angelica's (seeming) actions to lead a life as a stripper/some sort of performer; he then proceeds to judge her, and seems to think that because of this profession, he cannot be with her. (As Zapp points out, a man might marry a woman of such a profession because "perhaps he wouldn't know" (201)...thus, Persse's quest for a perfectly innocent woman is likely in vain. He will probably need to compromise a partner's past at some point, but does not seem to realize this.) Persse is still a static character, still allowing his emotions and romantic fantasies to get the best of him; but hopefully, he will change soon, and find his Angelica in another quest.