“Martim went out to hunt
with Poty. He then separated himself from [Iracema] in order to have the
pleasure of returning to her.”
Iracema, José de
Alencar, page 79
Martim and Iracema were in
love. The days of their early marriage were bliss and they loved being with
each other. Martim would leave home to hunt so he would be extra happy to see
her when he returned. But after one long trip away later on, he almost dreaded
returning to her.
This passage reminded me
of the old adage, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” There are differing
opinions as to the validity of this statement. Some agree, others are more
inclined to think saying “Out of sight, out of mind” is truer.
I think both sayings are
true. To a certain extent.
Despite the oath I swore to myself that I would never be in a long distance relationship I find myself...in a long distance relationship. It is not for everyone and it is definitely not for every relationship; I do it because he is worth it. But the 600 miles between us forces us to communicate and build a relationship not centered on the physical.
Scriptures say, if "[we] never had known the bitter [we] could not know the sweet" (D&C 29:39), and that we must "taste the bitter...to know the good" (Moses 6:55). Being apart from loved ones is definitely bitter. But I believe distance can draw a couple together if their relationship is a secure, meaningful one; and if their separation is not inordinately long. However, if their relationship is based on infatuation-which does not last-instead of a solid foundation of friendship and trust, distance can definitely destroy it.
Martim and Iracema's relationship did not last through their prolonged separation because it was immature and built on the shaky foundation of infatuation. It was purely physical. They declared their love for each other the minute they saw each other. In the end, Iracema was pathetically enamored with Martim, and he was selfish not 100% committed ; Evident by his longing to be elsewhere and the fact that he did not hurry back when he knew Iracema had given birth. What should have been sweet, resulted to be bitter.
Despite the oath I swore to myself that I would never be in a long distance relationship I find myself...in a long distance relationship. It is not for everyone and it is definitely not for every relationship; I do it because he is worth it. But the 600 miles between us forces us to communicate and build a relationship not centered on the physical.
Scriptures say, if "[we] never had known the bitter [we] could not know the sweet" (D&C 29:39), and that we must "taste the bitter...to know the good" (Moses 6:55). Being apart from loved ones is definitely bitter. But I believe distance can draw a couple together if their relationship is a secure, meaningful one; and if their separation is not inordinately long. However, if their relationship is based on infatuation-which does not last-instead of a solid foundation of friendship and trust, distance can definitely destroy it.
Martim and Iracema's relationship did not last through their prolonged separation because it was immature and built on the shaky foundation of infatuation. It was purely physical. They declared their love for each other the minute they saw each other. In the end, Iracema was pathetically enamored with Martim, and he was selfish not 100% committed ; Evident by his longing to be elsewhere and the fact that he did not hurry back when he knew Iracema had given birth. What should have been sweet, resulted to be bitter.
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