John Updike, The Persistence of Desire:
Pg. 563

“Clyde wondered if with that sarcasm she intended to fetch his eyes to the brink of tears of grief. Probably not; premeditation had never been much of a weapon for her, though she had tried to learn it from him.”

Clyde seems to be a man who is still stuck on his old love Janet who is over him. Even though he is not over her, she has moved on to having a husband and thinking about kids. Although Clyde doesn’t fully realize that he is still in love with her until he is at the doctors office he sees her walking down the street and his emotions become stirred, Clyde had not had this feeling since they used to be together back in the day. Having this mixed feeling made him realize that his relationship with her was exciting and something he should cherish. This quote make me wonder if deep down she wants him too because she is being catchy and wants him to feel as though he is missing out now that they split.


Pg. 570

“This glimpse, through the skin of the paper, of her pain self quickened and sweetened his desire more the touching her had. He tucked the note back into his shirt pocket and its stiffness there made a shield for his heart. In this armor he stepped into the familiar street.”

His love for her was strong she loved him more then his family seemed to. Knowing that what he had with her was so special it makes him want what he cant have which was her. This stirs his emotions and makes him want her even more than she knows.