Human Relationships In The Lovely Bones By Alice Sebold

“Trust is to human relationships what faith is to gospel living. It is the beginning place, the foundation upon which more can be built. Where trust is, love can flourish.” The relationships we have with other people are projections of the relationships we have within ourselves. There are many different types of human relationships including friendships, sibling relationships, couples relationships, parent relationships, and professional relationships. Every personal relationship is unique because each relationship satisfies a different void in the happiness of an individual. Relationships with parents are centred on love and acceptance, whereas professional relationships are focused on performance and achievements. Human relationships enable people to establish a sense of belonging in society to experience love and acceptance. Furthermore, relationships dictate the emotions and behaviours of individuals as people strive to develop a self-identity to identify their purpose for living. Ultimately, human relationships allow people to find contentment and achieve happiness. The novel, The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold explores human relationships with Susie Salmon and Mr. Harvey. There is a distinction between the ways that both characters act that show construction and destruction. There are several different types of beneficial relationships that the novel discusses that impact the characters; however, Susie’s relationships with her family, strangers, friends, and herself are more constructive than Mr. Harvey’s relationships with his family, strangers, friends, and himself.

Susie’s relationship with her parents involve active communication, safety rules, and understanding, which allow her to develop constructive qualities, where...

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...e people to reveal an exclusive connection that can either be constructive or destructive. Constructive relationships encourage both parties to discover their self-identity, morals, and values. Meanwhile, destructive relationships encourage negativity, abuse, and negligence. There are several different types of beneficial relationships that the novel discusses that impact the characters; however, Susie’s relationships with her family, strangers, friends, and herself are more constructive than Mr. Harvey’s relationships with his family, strangers, friends, and himself. Although Mr. Harvey’s profession is a builder, he allows his thoughts to control his actions which causes destruction to his family, neighbours, and society, especially women. On the other hand, Susie’s love and care for her family and friends lead to her realization of her impact on her loved ones.