Childhood
It is clear that having a loving childhood is an essential part of a child’s upbringing, and failure to provide this warmth and love can shape a person’s path in life. Simon has a troubled relationship with his father, who only valued him for his role in continuing his family legacy. However, after discovering his son has a speech delay and impairment, he casts him off, leaving Simon to grow up feeling resentful towards his father.
Marriage
Out of spite to his father, Simon refuses to ever get married so that he does not carry on his family line. Even when he meets Daphne and feels a spark towards her, he cannot bring himself to offer for her hand in marriage. However, Daphne manipulates him into a marriage, leaving him unhappy with her deceptive tactics. This causes conflict as Simon never intended to marry nor have children.
Love
Having never experienced any kind of paternal nor maternal love, due to his father’s dismissal towards him and his mother’s death at childbirth, Simon struggles to love both himself and others. He lacks self-love and hates himself for his own struggles with his speech. But Daphne brings out the best in him and helps him overcome his struggles, highlighting the concept that love is all one needs to grow.
