In all my years in the town, I encountered no one who was divorced, and so it may be taken for granted that there were other couples living separate lives in one house, other men and women who had accepted the fact that there were differences never to be mended, a word or an act never to be forgiven, a barrier never to be washed away.
The narrator reflects on a lifetime spent in a town where divorce seems nonexistent, hinting at a cultural norm that shuns the idea of separation. This absence of divorced individuals suggests that many couples may choose to coexist in comfort despite unresolved issues, accepting profound differences that keep them apart emotionally rather than physically. The quote emphasizes the weight of unspoken barriers that can solidify relationships into mere coexistence.
Through this observation, the narrative highlights the complexities of marriage and commitment. It reveals that many individuals might endure relationships fraught with ungranted forgiveness and persistent emotional distance. This portrayal challenges the romanticized notion of marriage as solely a bond of love, suggesting instead that it can also involve silent struggles and a reluctant acceptance of deep-seated differences.
