r or not to abort a fetus put strain on the characters relationship. The two characters had opposing views on abortion. Strain was also placed on the elderly couple in Carvers What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, when they could not physically see each other due to the harsh reality of a severe car accident. And again, in Shiloh, it came down to the couple separating because of the reality that the husband had lost his job.It is most definitely unfortunate that the outside world plays such a big role in relationships. Social standards, living conditions/situations, and the harsh realities of the outside world can, and will, often break a couple up. Conflicts brought about by these factors, as illustrated by the many authors, frequently end in the destruction of a relationship....
