"The Temptations of Two" Response

Regardless of the painful cliche, I believe the theme of Susan Fox Roger's "The Temptations of Two" to be that of the power of friendship. The narrator finds comfort in the simplicity of solitude. "Some days this creates a melancholy some would call loneliness, yet most days I think of it as freedom" (162). However, she can't deny the positive effect of her friendship with Emily. "But with Emily I become gregarious, and talk--too much" (160). Perhaps unbeknownst to the narrator, her friendship lends her boldness--which at one point, she questions as foolishness. "... and I begin to think this is all folly. Why am I following a heartbroken woman into the dark; what makes me imagine that just because there are two of us this is reasonable?" (165). Emily challenges the narrator and the narrator realizes that their mutual bond had lent both of them strength. "The temptation of two was dismantling my edifice of one. For so long the pleasure of one was not just enough, but perfect, and now, so quick, I had been swept away by the adventurous possibility of two" (167). One aspect of her writing that I admire is how she voices internal conflict. "You are alone, I remind myself, don't push it. Going solo is the adventure; that is enough" (164). It gives insight into the narrator's character and thoughts, shedding light on the character's development through the story. I found the author's description of setting astounding. It wasn't as if she simply added the name Hudson in front of 'river' and proceeded to describe a generic flowing body of water. She gave specifics, names and imagery, almost resembling directions for the readers to go and see for themselves. All these facets combined to form a meaningful and insightful story.