Galloway, Janice. "Valentine".

Summary

- a woman protagonist's account of an embarassing Valentine day with her partner

- the woman does not like the fuss about Valentine and fails to enjoy the atmosphere

- she is nervous so that her partner should not find out she has used his jersey

- she fails to please him by her present of a pair of thermal drawers, he fails to please her by his gift of erotic underwear

- they go to a restaurant, make love in the car, and return home

- the woman continues feeling discomforted but the man does not seem to notice

Analysis

- concentrates on creating atmosphere rather than action

- the silent tragedy of failing communication

- the failure to live as you are expected to do: the protagonist fails to enjoy the Valentine day though she is supposed to enjoy it

- illusion versus reality: the couple seems to be perfectly content to an uninvolved observer, however at least one of the partners is suffering