Loyalty and conflict
The connection between the two twin stories is the issue of loyalty. In the story about Charles and Francis's conflict, the severity of their conflict is determined by the deep sense of betrayal they each feel, even though Charles is immediately sorry for his explosive anger. Then, Anne betrays the oath of her marriage, and Frankford decides to remain loyal to her, not divorcing her. In both cases, the issue of human commitment and intimacy is raised. The question seems to be, "How can humans be close to one another if they keep betraying each other all the time?"
Jealousy
The issue of jealousy is constant in the book. Charles and Francis each claim they are the better hunter, probably because of jealousy between them. Francis ends up being envious of Charles's wife (whom Charles ends up giving him as a gift, betraying himself). Anne cheats on Frankford, leaving him to deal with the chaotic emotional aftermath. Jealousy and desire are on full display in this novel.
The grandeur of willpower
When Anne decides that she would rather die than continue on in her shame, she decides to starve herself to death, and it works. When Frankford comes to offer her his forgiveness, it's too late; she's already dying. Her decision to take her own life is morally dubious, but it is an indisputable picture of her willpower. Other moments of grand willpower include Francis's decision to forgive Charles of his legal charges and of his debts. Then there is the exchange of Charles's wife, which is another unbelievable instance of human will. The point here is that these characters are larger than life, epic in proportion.
