The Paradise Problem

“Two years into this adventure, and I’m better acquainted with the couch he’s leaving behind than I am with him.”

Even though Anna and Liam have been married and have lived in the same apartment for two years, they are strangers to one another. The word “adventure” contrasts with the reality of the marriage, which is transactional and distant at this point in the novel. Significantly, this same couch will be the scene of their next encounter in three years, showing that Anna cannot easily afford new things.

“Every fine arts major at UCLA dreams of becoming the next big set designer, costume mastermind, or art scene It kid, but those of us whose ambitions are simply ‘afford rent and health insurance’ are aware we will most likely be waitresses by day and hobby painters by night.”

Anna discusses the differences between aspirations and reality, and her comments also highlight The Societal Impact of Class Differences. Although Anna does not deny that she has lofty aspirations, this quote shows that she is bluntly honest even with herself, and she knows that the odds of becoming a famous artist are slim at best. The passage also introduces her two primary goals at the start of the novel: to afford rent and to pay for health insurance.

“Even if you two travel separately, perhaps you could call your father beforehand? I’d like you two to iron out your wrinkles before we arrive on the island with everyone else. I don’t want any tension to be visible from the outside.”

Janet makes this statement during her phone call with Liam as she urges him to go to Charlie’s wedding. The metaphorical phrase “iron out your wrinkles” emphasizes Janet’s overdeveloped concern for appearances, and it is also clear that Liam’s family minimizes the depth of the difficulties that lie between him and Ray.