The aura of the theocratic death penalty for adultery still clings to America, even outside New England, and multiple divorce, which looks to the European like serial polygamy, is the moral solution to the problem of the itch. Love comes into it too, of course, but in Europe we tend to see marital love as an eternity which encompasses hate and also indifference: when we promise to love we really mean that we promise to honor a contract. Americans, seeming to take marriage with not enough seriousness, are really taking love and sex with too much.

Summary

In this quote, the author highlights differences between societal views on adultery and divorce in America and Europe. They suggest that in America, there is still a strong religious influence, as the punishment for adultery is seen through a theocratic lens. On the other hand, Europeans see divorce as a solution to the relationship issues and may perceive multiple divorces as a form of serial polygamy. The author also notes that Europeans tend to view marital love as encompassing both positive and negative emotions, while Americans might prioritize love and sex too much, possibly not taking marriage seriously enough.

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