In Responce to David's Post

On the subject of Ed's love for Terri, my main concern is not Ed's actions towards Terri. I think most people can agree that yes, he Did love her, but at the same time it was not a healthy love. Ed was possessive, oppressive, abusive, etc, etc. Basically Ed was everything you would expect in a hollywood sob story about abuse. Unfortunately this type of "love" is very real and does happen everyday. Back on topic, I personally think that the major problem and danger in a relationship like this is not the "love" of Ed, but Terri's willingness to believe him and become attached to him. Let me pose a question. If you were to be beaten and dragged by the ankles by your husband, threatened with a gun (.22 to the head? are you serious?), and your boyfriend threatened nightly, would you sit there by his side as he dies? I would hope not.

Terri's willingness to be by his side to me is scarier and not only more dissapointing but also unfair to Mel. Because Terri still seems to be enamored by Ed, even after he killed himself, her relationship with Mel is much more strained. When reading the original text (the one holderman gave us in class) the relationship seemed much more clear as to how deeply Mel was hurting because Terri can't get over Ed. For some reason, Terri is obsessed with the memory of Ed, and not in the good way (if there is a good way). She is so focused on her dead husband and his mempory that it seems to me as if she is just going through the motions with Mel, to have a husband just to have one.

Terri's emotional state and obsession with Ed is bringing not only her down but also her husband. Also, when the subject of Ed was brought up in the conversation in the story, not only were there more references to the sun and its position in the sky (to me not only representing time but also possibly the dwindling hope of a happy marriage?) but also brought the tone and attitude of the conversation down to a dangerous and depressing low.


-JDT.