The Character Of Arthur In The Second Choice

The Second Choice is a short story explaining how a man named Arthur writes 6 letters to his love Shirley (the central character). He sends her these letters to indicate his love towards her along with a desired to once marry her, yet feels as if he isn't the honorable man for her, feeling as though he cannot take care of her financially, due to him being too restless and young, which in his perspective isn't what she needs. Arthur has many uncertainties in himself believing he isn't the right man for Shirley. When she receives these written messages she sends one of her own asking him to return to her. From this he replies with no assurance of a reappearance though says he is only keeping the memories of her and her messages. With Arthur in
He had been so gay and thoughtless, or headstrong, so youthfully romantic, and with such a love of play and change and to be saying and doing anything and everything. Arthur could dance in a gay way, whistle, sing after a fashion, play. He could play cards and do tricks, and he had such a superior air, so genial and brisk, with a kind of innate courtesy in it and yet an intolerance for slowness and stodginess or anything dull or dingy, such as characterized” (Shirley 2). Time passed since he had left and she had acquired a marriage proposal from Barton, whom she accepted trusting he will be a fine husband towards her, this idea was influenced by her neighbors. Shortly after, Arthur had returned and things started to alter. She began seeing Arthur without Barton’s knowledge. Both men had no idea of each other. Though she was sneaking around with Arthur, she still had some feelings for
He demanded of her time and her affection without let or hindrance” (Shirley 5). Yet, when Shirley was ready to be with Arthur, she approaches Barton and explains she no longer wants to be with him. Arthur then makes a bunch of excuses of why they cannot meet, leading her to believe he does not desire her anymore. From this she decided upon taking Barton back, from their, marriage can take place. When meeting up with Barton he is gladly ready to accept her back into his life, though she realizes that she doesn't want to be with him, since she really has no interest in him. Her heart still belongs to another, that doesn’t long for her. Still she has to get married before she gets old. I perceive as though she is insecure and suffers from a broken heart due to the fact that, she didn’t follow her instincts when it first told her that Arthur wasn’t really planning on having her in his life for long. Shirley had a satisfactory relationship going with Barton (he treated her well). Still refusing him to go with her true love and when finally deciding to be with the one she sincerely had deep affections towards, he disappoints her, thus leading her to go back to Barton as if they can start over, while still not truly longing for him; just wanted someone to