The Marriage Of Opposites

Forbidden love is a constant theme throughout the novel, and it’s closely related to the idea in the title, “The Marriage of Opposites.” Sometimes the forbidden love is what it sounds like, a relationship frowned on by social mores. Other times, what is forbidden isn’t romantic love but an outré desire that goes against accepted norms. 

The most obvious examples of forbidden love in relationships can be seen in the cases of Rachel and Frédéric, Aaron and Jestine, Mr. Enrique and Rosalie, Camille and Julie, and Rachel’s father and Adelle. Each of these relationships revolves around opposites of one sort or another. Rachel and Frédéric’s wish to marry despite being in-laws puts them in opposition with their religion. Aaron and Jestine act in opposition to society by wanting to be together despite being of different races. The relationship between Rachel’s father and Adelle is complicated not only by their different racial backgrounds, but by their mismatched social classes and also by the fact that he is already married to someone else. Finally, Camille and Julie oppose the strong beliefs of Rachel, who tries to keep them apart because Julie isn’t Jewish and because she comes from a much lower social class than Camille.