Compare and contrast the ways "Regeneration" by Pat Barker and "The Rights of Desire" by Andre Brink deal with the theme of Love

Essay by rorckyHigh School, 12th grade November 2004

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Love is the least understandable human feeling. Love appears in all kinds of forms during most novels studied in class. However love is very difficult to categorize, some correlations can be made between 'types' of love and between the characters of different novels. In "The Rights of Desire" and "Regeneration", this is the case. Admiration, sexual attraction, respect and love in the family are seen and dealt with in different ways.

In "The Rights of Desire" the principal theme is the feelings the protagonist, Ruben, develops when a new tenant enters his house. Ruben is a 64 years old man, and the tenant, Tessa, a 30 years old young woman. Ruben is looking for someone to be at home if he has any problems when Magrieta, his housekeeper, isn't around. Tessa is interested in the apartment and turns up on a rainy evening, visibly wet. Their relationship is going to grow as Ruben invites her to drink some wine with him in front of his open fire.

Ruben hasn't had any contact with women in his life since the death of his wife and is very impressed by this beautiful young girl. Gradually as the night goes on he is going to develop a desire for this physically appealing younger woman. As the clock turns, the discussions intensify and his desire for this young woman doesn't cease to increase. From this moment in the book Ruben's desire of won't stop expanding. His excitement about her becomes the center of his life. This makes him feel rejuvenated, which he really appreciates. Ruben loves being in love. His love for Tessa doesn't satisfy him enough and he starts to physically and morally desire her love. He can't live without her and when she leaves he continues to cultivate the desire for her.