A very well known example of a love story is Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. They meet at a ball given by the Capulet family (Juliet’s family.) Romeo’s family, the Montagues, are at war with the Capulets, a major problem for Romeo and Juliet! The two lovers face great difficulties in attempting to meet each other. When violence breaks out and Romeo is banished. A radical solution is worked out involving Juliet taking a drug to fake her death. When messages go astray Romeo thinks that Juliet is really dead. In the confusion and mix up they both commit suicide. I believe that although Romeo and Juliet contains many features of a good love story it is not entirely a conventional love story. Afterall, with the two lovers dying it really is not a happy ending. But, after careful thought, the story ironically does seem to have a happy ending; the destruction of the hatred between the two battling families’, which occurs after they realise the tragedy it can cause.
Far From the Madding Crowd is a good example of an unconventional love story. It does however follow a similar plot to that of a conventional love story, yet it is more complex. For example, instead of at the beginning two people falling in love, in this novel only one, Oak, actually has this emotion for the other, Bathsheba. As the book develops so does the relationship between Oak and Bathsheba but it is an outsider, Troy, who seduces Bathsheba away and causes many problems. Boldwood who also loves Bathsheba is another obstacle who comes between Oak and Bathsheba. Inevitably, Troy proves unworthy and the original two, Bathsheba and Oak, recognise the value of one another. They get married, but on the firm foundations of trust and friendship, not love. The complications of this story are involved mostly with Troy and Boldwood. It is the love from Oak for Bathsheba that is always certain throughout the novel, right from the beginning when he tells her – “I shall do one thing in this life- one thing certain- that is, love you, and long you, and keep wanting you till I die.” This is a very powerful statement and evidently shows his feelings for Bathsheba are strong and clear-sighted.
Across the Barricades is a very good example of a conventional love story. It follows the basic plot very precisely. Sadie meets Kevin and they fall in love immediately. The problem they face involves their religious beliefs. Sadie is Protestant and Kevin is a strong Catholic, and they both live in Belfast, where the suspicion between Catholics and Protestants is deep and violent. These problems are placed in their way and they have no control over them. The story ceases pleasingly when the couple go away together to live in England. This story is unconventional only in the sense that we fear they will be more problems for them in the future when they reach England, but the ending, for that one moment, is a happy one.
Across the Barricades is a very simple and traditional love story. The topic of the religious conflict gives the book a more exciting plot, and gives a feeling of reality to the reader. Although the author has included this idea of conflict to make the story more interesting, the story is still quite plain and predictable. I expected many of the events, such as the happy ending, to happen and they did. For example, “Sadie! Sadie Jackson!”…she waited for him to reach her… “Kevin,” she said “Kevin McCoy.” , from reading the first few lines I made the prediction that it would be the two characters Kevin and Sadie who fell in love. I considered the title of the book to be a clue to the problem they faced and expected some sort of division between the two lovers. These expectations were proved correct once I had read the book, and I found this was quite dull.
Love stories can vary from simple ones to more complex or adjusted ones. Conventional love stories are the simple tales, such as fairy tales and across the Barricades, that although are very easy to follow, are also very obvious. A more complicated story, such as Far from the Madding Crowd, which includes twists and unexpected events, is a more interesting and pleasant story.
Conventional love stories are pleasing to the reader. The boy always gets the girl and they all live happily ever after. More complex and unconventional love stories reflect life more closely. They tell truthfully and candidly of the hurt and pain that love can cause and do not leave the reader wrapped snugly in the blanket of a perfect ending. Conventional love stories have their place, the truth is however that love hurts!