In "Angle of Repose," Wallace Stegner explores how base desires and unworthy passions affect individuals who are restrained from engaging in casual relationships, infidelity, and divorce. These inhibitions, often rooted in social norms and moral expectations, can lead to a conflict between personal desires and societal expectations. This tension can trouble the emotional and physical well-being of men and women, as they grapple with their innate needs and the limitations placed upon them.

Stegner's reflection raises important questions about the nature of human relationships and the consequences of repressing fundamental urges. The struggle between such desires and the constraints of commitment and fidelity paints a complex picture of human behavior. The tension ultimately underscores the challenges of maintaining health and happiness in relationships while navigating the deeply ingrained societal rules that govern them.