Sure Thing 'And Happy Endings'

Everyone in life wants a happy ending. In “Happy Endings” by Margaret Atwood and Sure Thing by David Ives, there is a common theme of happy endings. In “Happy Endings,” the theme is referred back to the happy ending throughout the story; whereas, in Sure Thing, the characters are trying to reach a happy ending through multiple conversations. The characters in “Happy Endings” are all striving for a happy ending; however, in Sure Thing, the characters receive multiple chances at attaining their happy ending. The common theme throughout these two stories is a happy ending; however, in “Happy Endings” and Sure Thing, the faults and mistakes of the characters prove that a happy ending is not always possible or guaranteed. In each story, the

In “Happy Endings” faults lie within each person. John “merely uses her body for selfish pleasure” (Atwood 364). His fault lies in his own selfishness and apathy towards Mary. Similarly, in the beginning of Sure Thing, Bill is forceful and determined to talk to Betty even when she clearly states, “I just wanted to read in private” (Ives 884). He does not take consideration of her denial of him and keeps pushing the issue. Both John and Bill share the characteristic of single-minded selfishness. On the opposite side, all Mary wants in “Happy Endings” is for John “to depend on her and they will get married” (Atwood 364). Mary does not directly confront John about his behavior, instead she takes on a submissive role in this dysfunctional relationship. On the contrary, in Sure Thing, Betty directly denies any conversation in stating “I’m expecting somebody in a minute” and stands her ground against unwanted advances (Ives 884). There is a striking difference between Mary and Betty in that Mary takes on a submissive role; whereas, Betty stands firm in her opinion. These faults and differences seem to imply that the chance of a happy ending would be