Love and Its Limits

The Summer Book

This emotional thread explores the difference between caring for another person or animal and controlling how that being responds.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Theory of Love A Theory of Love from "The Summer Book". A Theory of Love Affection meets distance Sophia tells Grandmother that the more she loves Moppy, the less he seems to like her.

A Theory of Love from "The Summer Book". A Theory of Love Affection meets distance Sophia tells Grandmother that the more she loves Moppy, the less he seems to like her.

A Theory of Love Affection meets distance Sophia tells Grandmother that the more she loves Moppy, the less he seems to like her. She responds to distance by trying harder. A question without a cure Grandmother agrees that the observation is true but does not offer a technique to win the cat over. The exchange leaves love present without making it a guarantee.

Punishing the Cat Punishing the Cat from "The Summer Book". Punishing the Cat Anger prolongs attachment Sophia stops speaking to Moppy and demands to know whether his kills have been removed.

Punishing the Cat from "The Summer Book". Punishing the Cat Anger prolongs attachment Sophia stops speaking to Moppy and demands to know whether his kills have been removed.

Punishing the Cat Anger prolongs attachment Sophia stops speaking to Moppy and demands to know whether his kills have been removed. Her punishment hurts her as much as it affects the cat. A difference in nature Moppy continues to hunt, unable to understand the moral distinction Sophia makes. Their relationship exposes the limits of human wishes imposed on an animal.

A Gentle Substitute A Gentle Substitute from "The Summer Book". A Gentle Substitute Affection comes easily The new cat purrs, accepts handling, and sleeps beside Sophia.

A Gentle Substitute from "The Summer Book". A Gentle Substitute Affection comes easily The new cat purrs, accepts handling, and sleeps beside Sophia.

A Gentle Substitute Affection comes easily The new cat purrs, accepts handling, and sleeps beside Sophia. She receives the uncomplicated response she wanted from Moppy. Comfort does not settle longing Sophia still tries to preserve Moppy's old places and habits. Her treatment of the substitute reveals that tenderness alone cannot replace a specific attachment.

The Storm Test The Storm Test from "The Summer Book". The Storm Test The desired response fails Sophia wakes Fluff to enjoy a storm, but the cat stays warm and sleepy.

The Storm Test from "The Summer Book". The Storm Test The desired response fails Sophia wakes Fluff to enjoy a storm, but the cat stays warm and sleepy.

The Storm Test The desired response fails Sophia wakes Fluff to enjoy a storm, but the cat stays warm and sleepy. She is furious that it does not act like Moppy. Recognition through loss Sophia throws Fluff outside and cries for Moppy. The outburst clarifies the difference between loving a pleasant pet and loving the difficult animal she knows.

The Exchange Reversed The Exchange Reversed from "The Summer Book". The Exchange Reversed A choice made knowingly Sophia admits that life with Moppy will be awful, but says he is the cat she loves.

The Exchange Reversed from "The Summer Book". The Exchange Reversed A choice made knowingly Sophia admits that life with Moppy will be awful, but says he is the cat she loves.

The Exchange Reversed A choice made knowingly Sophia admits that life with Moppy will be awful, but says he is the cat she loves. The family exchanges the cats again. Love accepts a limit Moppy's independence has not changed, and Sophia does not pretend it has. Their bond survives as a relationship with difference rather than a promise of obedience.

early summer, as Moppy avoids Sophia

after Moppy brings home several birds

mid-summer, when Fluff joins the household

late summer, on the first windy morning after calm weather

soon after Sophia asks for Moppy back