Quote by Marilyn French

Marriage accustomed one to the good things, so one came to take them for granted, but magnified the bad things, so they came to feel as painful as a grain in one's eye. An open window, a forgotten quart of milk, a TV set left blaring, socks on the bathroom floor could become occasions for incredible rage. And something happened sexually in marriage --the swearing to forsake all others, despite its slight observance, had a profound effect. Some people felt trapped by it, impelled to assert what they called freedom. Some accepted it like a rein, and in the effort to avoid pain in the form of hopeless desire, cut off occasions of desire, avoided having long talks at parties with attractive members of the opposite sex. In time, all feeling for the opposite sex was cut off, and intercourse limited to the barest politesses. But something happened to you when you did that, a kind of death seeped up from the genitals to the rest of the body, till it showed in the eyes, the gestures, in a certain lifelessness.

Summary

This quote explores the effect of marriage on one's perception of good and bad things. It suggests that being in a long-term relationship often leads to taking the positive aspects for granted while magnifying the negative aspects, causing them to become incredibly painful. The vow of monogamy in marriage is also discussed and its impact on individuals' sense of freedom and desire. It suggests that some people feel trapped by it and attempt to assert their freedom, while others accept it as a guiding principle, avoiding situations that may spark desire. However, the quote warns that this avoidance can ultimately lead to a loss of connection and vitality in the individual.