Martyrs of a sort they were, these children, along with the town drunk, in his basketball sneakers and buttonless overcoat, draining blackberry brandy from a paper bag as he sat on his bench in Kazmierczak Square, risking nightly death by exposure; martyrs too of a sort were the men and women hastening to adulterous trysts, risking disgrace and divorce for their fix of motel love-all sacrificing the outer world to the inner, proclaiming with this priority that everything solid-seeming and substantial is in fact a dream, of less account than a merciful rush of feeling.
In John Updike's "The Witches of Eastwick," the narrative presents a poignant view of life in a small town, where both children and the town's outcast embody a type of martyrdom. The children symbolize innocence lost, while the town drunk embodies a tragic figure who sacrifices his health and safety for fleeting pleasures. Their lives are steeped in desperation and longing, highlighting the fragility of existence in a seemingly indifferent world.
Additionally, the references to adults engaging in extramarital affairs reflect a broader theme of personal sacrifice for emotional fulfillment. These characters prioritize their inner desires over societal norms, revealing a deeper commentary on the nature of happiness and love. They challenge the perception of reality, suggesting that the tangible aspects of life are less significant than the intense emotional experiences that define their existence.
