Normal People
Sally Rooney
Contributed by Youlanda Mill
Chapter 18
Summary

Connell and Marianne are together again and both are more secure and confident in their relationship. Connell gives Marianne what she needs, a sense of dominance, without compromising himself. He does it now because it is what she wants, what she needs, not because he wants to.

Marianne has had a falling out with her family but has a secure place with Connell and his family. Lorraine has always loved her and enjoys having her over for Christmas when Marianne does not want to go home. She is openly Connell’s girlfriend, which is a novelty for his relatives, as he had always kept previous girlfriends at a distance.

Connell is now working as an editor at the school newspaper, and works closely with a woman on the staff named Sadie, which provokes Marianne’s jealousy. Although she is more secure now, and does not feel that she is unworthy of love, she is still worried about losing Connell’s love, even though he is now publicly touting their relationship. She takes issue with not knowing everything Connell is up to, which is an argument they have during this chapter. Connell has been accepted to a position in New York City, something that Marianne did not even know he had applied for. She is immediately jealous of Sadie for being in the know on this and accuses Connell of being in love with Sadie.

Connell has come far with being able to share his emotions. He responds showing how ridiculous it is that Marianne jumps to conclusions about Sadie. He assures Marianne that he loves her and no one else, and that it could never be the same with anyone else.

The chapter ends with Marianne pushing Connell to go to New York for the year, assuring him that she will be here when he gets back.

Analysis

Both characters have made a lot of progress on becoming better versions of themselves throughout the book, culminated in this chapter where they are finally together and can have open conversations with each other to avoid the confusion and misunderstandings that have happened in the past. Connell is finally secure in his love for Marianne, in how much that puts him in her power similar to how she is in his. This is love. It is hard and full of imperfections, but it is a relationship in which each is willing to give to each other, even in ways that are maybe uncomfortable for the other.

Although there is an imminent separation coming, the characters are secure enough in themselves and each other that the reader is left feeling that this will work out this time, even with the year apart. The two will find each other again and pick up where they have left off.

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