When love is apparent in a relationship, individuals are willing to make sacrifices for those close to them. While no relationship is perfect, some are inherently based on an unwillingness to make sacrifices for one another; In this regard, American literature provides a powerful resource from which observations can be made about the relationship between man and woman. Two relevant examples of these relationships are found in "Flowering Judas" by Katherine Anne Porter and "That Evening Sun" by William Faulkner, which depict the relationships between the characters Braggioni and Laura and between the characters Jesus and Nancy, respectively. Although both relationships are marred by an unwillingness to make sacrifices for each other, these relationships affect the woman involved differently; while Laura gains even more independence, Nancy is driven to a delusional sense of dependence. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Although the relationship between Braggioni and Laura is potentially romantic, it is not based on true love. Although he "wishes to impress this simple girl who covers her large round breasts with thick dark fabric and hides long, pricelessly beautiful legs under a thick skirt", he shows little or no evidence of his affection for her (Porter 872). . He even has the audacity to say that “a woman is really worth a woman to me, in the dark, [he] prefers them all” (873). Braggioni's words contradict each other. While he expresses a desire to pursue Laura, other women easily distract him. Additionally, Laura's lack of desire to be part of this relationship is an indication of the problem. She recognizes the superficiality of his desires and therefore fears interactions with him. After leaving the prison after her routine visits, she began "to find reasons to avoid her own house until as late as possible, for Braggioni [was] there almost every night" (866). Overall, the core of this relationship is based on Braggioni's selfish motivations. The relationship between Nancy and Jesus is also based on selfish desires. While working in the Compson family's kitchen, Nancy and Jesus discuss her recent pregnancy. Nancy suggests that he is not the father, and he responds dryly, "I can cut the vine from where it came off" (Faulkner 957). This powerful euphemism suggests that Jesus is prepared to violently punish the man with whom Nancy cheated on him. This conversation represents a double explanation of this erroneous relationship. While Jesus' reaction represents his tendency to abuse the power he has in this relationship, Nancy's actions leading up to this conference represent the unfaithfulness she has toward her loved one. In this relationship, they fail to love each other selflessly. Although no human is perfect, this behavior only continues throughout the story. The narrator mentions that while “sometimes the husbands of the washerwomen would pick up and deliver the clothes, Jesus never did that for Nancy” (956). Mr. Compson suggests that Jesus would also deceive Nancy. He says Jesus is “probably in St. Louis now.” I probably already had another wife and forgot all about [Nancy]” (959). The continuation of this mistreatment symbolizes the weak foundations of their relationship. Although both relationships are harmful, Laura does not allow her bond with Braggioni to define her. On the contrary, she learns to become a stronger woman. She stays true to her values ​​and does not succumb to his attempt to woo her with music. At.