Tad’s Pursuit Of Roselle

One Thousand and One Nights

This flow tracks Tad’s idealized courtship of Roselle and the repeated evidence that his affection is not yet mutual.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Distant Ideal A Distant Ideal from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Distant Ideal Courtship In His Imagination Tad thinks of Roselle as his true love and plans his life around opportunities to impress her.

A Distant Ideal from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Distant Ideal Courtship In His Imagination Tad thinks of Roselle as his true love and plans his life around opportunities to impress her.

A Distant Ideal Courtship In His Imagination Tad thinks of Roselle as his true love and plans his life around opportunities to impress her. His confidence rests more on his own romantic interpretation than on her expressed feelings. Evidence Avoided He treats a smile and wave as signs of encouragement, even though Claire explains that Roselle has been trying to avoid him. His ideal has not yet adjusted to her perspective.

A Jewelry Mission A Jewelry Mission from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Jewelry Mission A Gift As Declaration Tad buys Roselle an elaborate gold necklace because he believes its beauty will express his devotion.

A Jewelry Mission from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Jewelry Mission A Gift As Declaration Tad buys Roselle an elaborate gold necklace because he believes its beauty will express his devotion.

A Jewelry Mission A Gift As Declaration Tad buys Roselle an elaborate gold necklace because he believes its beauty will express his devotion. He carefully saves it and imagines the effect it will have on her. Romance By Display His plan depends on the object making his feelings persuasive. The purchase repeats the assumption that a grand gesture can substitute for a mutual conversation.

A Gift Of Straw A Gift Of Straw from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Gift Of Straw The Wrong Impression Roselle thinks the straw in the box is meant for her missing pet. Tad cannot explain the mix-up and leaves embarrassed.

A Gift Of Straw from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Gift Of Straw The Wrong Impression Roselle thinks the straw in the box is meant for her missing pet. Tad cannot explain the mix-up and leaves embarrassed.

A Gift Of Straw The Wrong Impression Roselle thinks the straw in the box is meant for her missing pet. Tad cannot explain the mix-up and leaves embarrassed. Rejection By Circumstance The scene does not establish that Roselle has deliberately rejected him, but it exposes how little he knows about what she expects from him. His romantic plan collapses without producing intimacy.

A Difficult Recognition A Difficult Recognition from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Difficult Recognition Acknowledging The Gap Tad admits that Roselle has not truly fallen in love with him.

A Difficult Recognition from "One Thousand and One Nights". A Difficult Recognition Acknowledging The Gap Tad admits that Roselle has not truly fallen in love with him.

A Difficult Recognition Acknowledging The Gap Tad admits that Roselle has not truly fallen in love with him. This recognition is brief and uncomfortable, but it marks a moment of honesty about his courtship. Hope Persists He still intends to win her over, comparing himself to Zaen’s long pursuit of Della. His hope remains, but he now has evidence that persistence alone may not be enough.

The Next Clever Reply The Next Clever Reply from "One Thousand and One Nights". The Next Clever Reply Affection Redirected Tad expects to keep provoking Claire and her dimples while continuing to pursue Roselle.

The Next Clever Reply from "One Thousand and One Nights". The Next Clever Reply Affection Redirected Tad expects to keep provoking Claire and her dimples while continuing to pursue Roselle.

The Next Clever Reply Affection Redirected Tad expects to keep provoking Claire and her dimples while continuing to pursue Roselle. The thought of Claire’s reaction now occupies space in his romantic imagination. A Comic Triangle Of Attention He insists that a man should not think too much about another woman’s eyes, even as he does so. The unresolved contrast leaves his affections pointed in more than one direction.

Before the new case begins

During Tad’s market trip in Shub-Haramb

After Tad presents the box in Rosendale

During Tad’s reflections after the case

In the closing moments of Tad’s reflection