Dearly Shmoop-loved, we are gathered here today to witness the turbulent marriage of T.S. Garp and Helen Holm in The World According to Garp, two young idealists who thought they had everything figured out. The early years are full of disappointment—clandestine affairs, broken promises, and buried resentment. And that's just the start of it. But when tragedy hits their family, they're forced to reexamine their own failures and forgive each other. Is it easy? No way. Is it fun? Not much. But they come together, and that's what truly matters in the end.
Questions About Marriage
- Do Garp and Helen have a good marriage? Why or why not?
- Why does Garp choose Helen to be his spouse? Use the text to support your answer.
- What are some similarities and differences between Helen and Garp and Alice and Harrison?
- Why does Helen never remarry?