Pub 1 "Perfect love is achievable"

 

    The idea of perfect love is often debated with many questioning if perfect love really exists. Perfect love is achievable even with all the challenges life can have. In Nicholas Sparks “The Notebook”, we see a type of love that remains constant despite the many obstacle's life throws at Noah and Allie. This type of love is selfless being able to put the other person first. Many believe that the idea of perfect love is nothing more than a fantasy, or an unattainable goal that sets unrealistic expectations for a relationship. Others argue, however, that perfect love doesn’t require flawless circumstances. Instead, it revolves around emotional maturity, deep commitment, and the willingness to navigate through life together. Perfect love is achievable, through qualities of commitment, resilience, and choice qualities that show that while love may not be free from challenges, it can still be perfect when it’s fought for.

               The one aspect of perfect love in “The Notebook” is commitment. Noah and Allie’s relationship is not just built on attraction or fleeting moments of happiness. Their love is built on the strong commitment to one another. Their love is not created perfect, but their willingness to fight for each other, even when life throws obstacles their way, shows their commitment toward one another. A great example that shows their dedication towards each other happens when Noah reveals to Allie, “I wrote you 365 letters. I wrote you every day for a year. I thought you would come back to me” (Noah, pg16). This isn’t just about Noah writing all these letters. It's about the commitment behind it. Noah for an entire year wrote these letters to Allis hoping she would return. Noah did not just wait around, he was actively keeping their connection alive. Despite being separated by their circumstances.

          Another important aspect of perfect love in “The Notebook” is how Noah and Allie’s relationship endures over time. Their love isn’t just about surviving the years apart it actually becomes stronger, despite the challenges they face. Even though they’re separated for so long, Noah’s feelings for Allie never fade away. After their summer together, Noah confesses, “I never stopped thinking about you” (Noah, pg7), showing that his love isn’t controlled by time or distance. He could have easily moved on, but he chooses not to. When he writes to Allie after all those years, his letter reveals how he still cares, saying, “I wanted to let you know how I was feeling, and you might still care about me” (Noah, pg9). Even though he knows it’s been years and their connection may seem impossible to revive, Noah’s decision to reach out after all that time shows that their love is more than just memories of their time together, he's actively reconnecting to keep their relationship going. Perfect love, as shown here, isn't about avoiding separation or hardship, it’s about how to face those challenges and continually choose each other, no matter the time that has passed. Through Noah and Allie’s life, we see that love can endure, grow stronger through hardship, and rise above whatever life throws its way. 

          A connection can be made between the commitment Noah and Allie share in “The Notebook” and in Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”. In Streetcar, Stanley's love for his wife, Stella, is often intense and possessive and emotional and physical abuse. But even Stanley, despite his flaws, has moments where his devotion to Stella comes through. For instance, when he says, “Stella, oh, Stella, Stella for star!” (Stanley, pg101), it’s clear that his feelings for her are strong, and passionate. Similarly, Noah’s love for Allie is created by passion and Noah's commitment to Allis, even after years apart. Both Noah and Stanly express powerful feelings for the women they love, but the difference lies in how they show it. Stanley’s devotion and passion often gets overshadowed by emotional manipulation and control, while Noah’s love is created by mutual respect, patience, and a willingness to choose each other again and again. This connection highlights that while both Noah and Stanley may show strong commitment, the way that commitment is expressed matters. When it’s healthy and respectful, like Noah and Allie’s relationship, love has the power to endure, while a possessive and controlling love, as seen with Stanley and Stella, can do more harm than good.

        In conclusion, “The Notebook” shows us that perfect love isn’t about always being perfect or avoiding all obstacles. Instead, it’s about the commitment and choices that people make to keep a relationship strong. Noah and Allie’s love proves that true love can survive through time, distance, and all sorts of challenges when it’s built on emotional growth and dedication to each other. Their relationship shows that perfect love is possible when both people are willing to fight for each other, even when things feel impossible. On the other hand, characters like Stanley in “A Streetcar Named Desire” show when love is driven by control and manipulation it can be toxic. Noah and Allie’s love, though a genuine commitment, and that’s what helps it survive even the toughest moments. Ultimately, “The Notebook” teaches us that perfect love isn’t some unattainable fantasy, it's something that can be built, created, and kept alive through the choices we make, making it not just a fantasy, but something truly achievable.

Work cited 

Sparks, Nicholas. “The Notebook”. Grand Central Publishing, 1996.

(Noah)

Williams, Tennessee. “A Streetcar Named Desire”. New Directions, 2004.

(Stanley)