Themes & patterns

The book explores the rigid divisions between social classes, the pretensions of the wealthy, and the struggles of those outside elite circles, as seen in characters like Anson Hunter, the Jelly-bean, and the rich families of the Connecticut estate.

Romantic relationships are portrayed as intense but often doomed, marked by longing, disillusionment, and the gap between idealized love and reality, as in Lois and Howard's correspondence, Val's dream of romance, and Anson's failed engagement.

The lives of the rich are depicted as glamorous yet hollow, with themes of excess, moral decay, and the corrosive effects of money, exemplified by the Rostoff family, the Washington château, and the hedonistic parties.

The narrative contrasts the vitality and hope of youth with the melancholy and loss of aging, as seen in Benjamin Button's reverse aging, Merlin Grainger's decline, and the wistful reflections of older characters.

Characters pursue success, love, or social standing only to face disappointment, as with Dexter's winter dreams, Horace Tarbox's sacrificed career, and Mather's moral compromises.

The stories often suggest that life is governed by inexorable forces, with characters feeling trapped by destiny, as Lois reflects on 'just destiny' and the inevitability of tragic outcomes.

Several characters defy societal expectations, such as Ardita embracing courage as a rule of life, the Jelly-bean rejecting social norms, and Marcia's unconventional marriage to a prodigy.

The past haunts characters, who cling to memories of lost love, youth, or status, as seen in Val's nostalgic walks, Anson's loneliness, and the fading recollections of Benjamin Button.