What do you think Clare Leslie Hall is trying to say about the power of first love in Broken Country? Does it always leave a lasting impact? Did you feel that Beth’s past love with Gabriel was a source of strength or pain for her? How does this influence the way she views herself and her current life?
For Beth, her first love was extremely powerful because she did not get over it or past it. I think she felt betrayed by Gabriel and couldn’t let it go particularly because of Bobby and the pain of losing him. Frank was a good, solid answer for her but not nearly the powerful love that she felt for Gabriel. No, I don’t think this is always true about a first love. I think most people have a first love, before they find the one they spend their life with, and that first love is usually something to learn from and move on.
Would the power of Beth’s first love differed, perhaps diminished, had she not been pregnant? But then there would be no storyline. I do believe the person who you first love holds a special place in your heart. Sixty years later I smile when I recall that first special high school boyfriend. No regrets, though!!!
I think a first love does leave an impact --sometimes good and sometimes bad. The real power of love comes from finding someone you really connect with. Beth couldn’t get over Gabriel because of their connection. His betrayal forced her into the arms of Frank…I think only because she was pregnant. If she hadn’t been pregnant she might have continued on with her schooling and found someone else. Regardless, she was never going to get over Gabriel.
I think all of us holds a special place for our first love. Wondering what could have been if things had happened in a different way. As we mature, we may look at this relationship differently but would we move back into that relationship should the opportunity present itself as it did in the novel? I think for some, their first love was true love and for others more of an infatuation.
I agree with Jan B. Beth’s relationship with Gabriel was a source of pain because of his betrayal and the way that Tessa makes her feel unworthy. She buries the pain and it stays unresolved. Perhaps in spite of loving Frank, she feels as if she has “settled” for her life with him.
The power of your first real love stays with you forever. At least that was true for Beth and also that was my experience. You return to those feelings throughout your lifetime with a strong lasting impact. Beth had a more mature love with kind and steady Frank who loved her, but I think it was painful for her to remember her young love with Gabriel that didn’t grow the way she thought it would. It was painful for her when Gabriel left her behind when he left for college. Because of how her first love gave her strength, it did get her through some trying times when married to Frank and impacted her when she helped Gabriel with his son when he returned to his home. I don’t think she ever forgot her original feelings, nor did she want to.
I so agree, your first love does leave its impact on your life. Beth’s case she could not let go, she had birthed his son and lost him and her schooling and career. Most of us have good memories of our first love, her memories were varied and filled with moments of despair.
The power of first love for both Gabriel and Beth was so strong that it drove them together later in life. I feel that when Beth realizes the miscommunication between her and Gabriel, the love becomes stronger and something she can’t ignore. She truly gives up everything and meets with Gabriel.
My feelings are that the author discusses the importance of first love and hurt. At the beginning Beth was aware of her feelings, and was in pain. As time went on, she tried to move on and adjust her feelings accordingly. When Gabriel came back into her life, I think it became difficult for her.