One of the crucial social concerns and themes raised by the novel is the question of an ideal marriage. Does such a marriage exist? When a match takes place between a brilliant but poor young woman, with "zero social status" and an equally brilliant, athletic, rich Ivy-leaguer, what are the common denominators to insure an ideal and successful marriage? The parents of the wealthy young man object to the match because the young lady is a commoner; will love alone be strong enough to sustain the marriage, without the parents' blessing? In spite of initial disapproval, Jenny's self-sacrifice and hard work bring about a greatly successful marriage, almost idealistic in nature.

The question of whether to attend the anniversary of Oliver's parents brings a misunderstanding between the couple but reconciliation follows swiftly.

This question of ideal marriage leads Segal to an examination of...