Friendship and Emotional Intimacy
The novel centers on the deep and complex friendship between Alice and Eileen, exploring how friendships evolve over time and distance. Through their correspondence, Rooney examines the ways in which emotional intimacy can offer solace and support in a rapidly changing world. Their bond serves as a safe space for vulnerability, highlighting the importance of platonic relationships as sources of emotional fulfillment.
Love, Desire, and Connection
Rooney delves into the intricacies of romantic relationships, focusing on the tension between physical desire and emotional connection. The relationships between Alice and Felix, and Eileen and Simon, reflect the challenges of navigating intimacy in a world filled with emotional baggage, insecurities, and societal expectations. The novel portrays love as both messy and transformative, showing its potential for both joy and heartbreak.
The Search for Meaning
Through the characters’ existential musings, the novel reflects on the human quest for purpose in a world that often feels fragmented and overwhelming. The title itself questions the existence of beauty and meaning in a world rife with political, social, and environmental turmoil. The characters grapple with their own doubts about their lives, careers, and relationships, searching for fulfillment and understanding.
Class, Work, and Capitalism
Rooney critiques the role of capitalism in shaping personal and professional lives, particularly through Alice’s experiences as a successful novelist and Felix’s struggles as a warehouse worker. The novel highlights the tension between creative freedom and financial stability, as well as the disparities in power and privilege that define modern relationships. The exploration of class differences adds depth to the characters’ interactions and self-perceptions.
Art, Literature, and Communication
The novel reflects on the role of art and literature in contemporary society, questioning its relevance and value in addressing human struggles. Through Alice’s career and her letters to Eileen, Rooney examines the limitations and possibilities of art as a means of connection and understanding. The epistolary format underscores the enduring power of written communication in fostering deep conversations and shared reflections.
