Angela Philipps, Gleaner Writer

photo by Avia Collinder

What classifies as a happy ending in the grand scheme of love? When we enter into a relationship with someone, are we hoping to be with him/her forever? And if so, what do we imagine a life with this person to be like?

In the western world we are surrounded by fairy tales. Not only in the story books which were read to us when we were children, but also in countless movies that are released every year. I have just been watching Titanic and I'm floored by the complete and unselfish love Jack has for Rose, and vice versa.

A human's basic instinct for survival ought to kick in at a time like this: a very large ship crashes into an iceberg and will sink into the freezing cold ocean within a couple of hours, killing all those on board. In fact, this is demonstrated in the film by the rest of the passengers, who are all fighting for their lives. Not Jack and Rose.

sacrifice

Yes, it's true that they don't want to die, and are quite panicked by the possibility. However, each of them has no desire to survive without the other. They are willing to sacrifice anything that it takes for them to remain as one. As the credits roll down, we are left wondering if they would have lived happily ever after, were their fates different.

Which brings me to this question: Did Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty all have wonderful marriages with their respective princes? The authors certainly left us with this sentiment, but would this have been the case in the 'real' world? What exactly is the meaning of sharing true bliss with someone?

Those of you cynical singletons out there might be raising your eyebrows just about now. And to be honest, I sometimes do the same. I mean, how on earth is it probable to be with one person for such a long time and never be sad or angry? It's not. But it doesn't mean that the overall experience is negative. Perhaps, having someone to go through your problems with is better than being on your own. These endings that we've been reading about for years might well be great on the whole.

It doesn't mean that Cinderella didn't have hard times with her husband, nor does it imply that there weren't instances when she wanted to leave him. Have you ever stopped to think that they could have sat down, talked, and worked things out? Clearly, tales of this nature are fiction, but they metaphorically relate to what many of us go through on a daily basis. We shouldn't mock them.

Modern shows at the cinema and on television express this unending love as well. Look at the show Friends, with Chandler and Monica, and Ross and Rachel. The final episode of the last series leaves us believing that both of these couples will be together until death do them part.

ultimate peace

Knocked Up makes us sure that Ben would always stay with Alison and their baby. As for Definitely, Maybe, did April and Will finally stop and realise they were meant for each other? Again, the writers hope to bring this ultimate peace to their audiences.

Should we even be worrying about this part of our future anyway? Shouldn't we be more concerned with the present? What do we feel today? Are the love affairs we are having now fulfilling us? Surely, if we're happy in each moment, then we shouldn't be stressing about what tomorrow will bring us. Maybe we ought not to be looking for our happily ever after, and just be satisfied with one gust 'av' love at a time.

angelaphilippsja@hotmail.com.