Normal People Part 3

 

Two Months Later (April 2012)

Connell is earning his keep by working for the dad of one of Marianne’s rich friends. Their usual evenings involve dinner, chats about the world, and intimacy. Recently, Marianne returned from a trip home in a gloomy state after a family dispute. Connell reassured her that her family would still care for her, but she chose not to share the details of her actual dynamic with her family.

One night, after Marianne’s friends had left, a tipsy Peggy asked if Marianne and Connell were a couple. Marianne admitted they were intimate but not a couple, leading Peggy to suggest a threesome. Connell has no wish for it, and he visibly appears alarmed at the idea. Marianne refuses the offer and explains that she had understood he wasn’t interested in the idea. She explains that she wasn’t interested in it either since she felt she’d be too self-aware. After Peggy left, Marianne confessed she would have agreed if Connell wanted it. Connell reminded her not to do anything she was uncomfortable with. He realized he could hurt Marianne and she’d let him, a thought that made him sick and afraid of her feelings for him.

Three Months later (July 2012)

After his exams, Connell returned home for the summer break. He and Marianne had split up because he wanted to explore other relationships, or at least that’s what Marianne believed. She felt foolish for praising him as a sensitive and smart individual. Joanna, Marianne’s most considerate friend, was genuinely confused by Connell’s actions.

Marianne was back in Carricklea for a special Mass commemorating her father’s death. During a grocery run, she bumped into Connell and his mother, Lorraine. After a brief chat, they offered her a lift home. Connell dropped Lorraine off before driving Marianne to her place. During the ride, Marianne apologized for not responding to his messages and mentioned she was seeing Jamie, a guy Connell had once outplayed at the pool. Connell chose not to enter Marianne’s house when he dropped her off, but he did mention he’d attend the Mass the next day.

Six Weeks Later (September 2012)

Connell had to move back home after his work hours were cut and he couldn’t afford his rent. He wanted to ask Marianne if he could stay with her but felt awkward about his financial situation. When he told Marianne he was moving out, she assumed he was going home. Her cool response made him suggest she might want to see other people, a comment she took as his wish. This misunderstanding left Connell feeling miserable all summer.

In a coffee shop, they caught up. Marianne had started dating Jamie, a rich guy with a notorious father after Connell left. She confessed to Connell that Jamie was physically rough with her during sex, a practice she had suggested. This revelation disturbed Connell. Marianne admitted she liked the idea of degrading herself for someone, assuring Connell that it was an act with Jamie, but she would genuinely do anything for Connell. Connell realized their friendship was still intact even if their romantic relationship had run its course.

Four Months Later (January 2013)

During Christmas at home, Marianne was insulted and spat on by Alan, which her mother brushed off as sibling rivalry. Now, she’s at her apartment with Jamie, Peggy, and other friends. Connell calls her, saying he’s been mugged and needs a little cash to get home. Marianne asks him to take a cab to her place and promises to cover the fare.

When a battered Connell arrives, Marianne’s guests show concern and then leave. Jamie is taken aback when Marianne expects him to leave too. Once alone, Connell advises Marianne to find a new boyfriend, then confesses he’s dating Helen, whom he loves. Marianne breaks down in tears. Connell admits he was confused when Marianne broke up with him; he had hoped she’d invite him to stay over the summer. Marianne responds that he would have always been welcome.

Six Months Later (July 2013)

Connell feels at ease with others when Helen is around. Despite her teasing him for being a “culchie” (a country boy), he sees their relationship as normal, unlike his unusual bond with Marianne. Helen’s description of Marianne as self-centered and promiscuous unsettles Connell, but he still feels he belongs with Helen.

In April, both Connell and Marianne won university scholarships. This allows Connell to travel while Helen is in Chicago for a brief course. He, along with his ex-roommate Niall and Niall’s girlfriend, is en route to Trieste to join Marianne, Jamie, and Peggy at Marianne’s family cottage. Connell and Marianne have been exchanging detailed daily emails about their vacations, global events, and more. Connell enjoys crafting these emails and has been working on some stories, but hasn’t shared them with Marianne yet.

During dinner in Trieste, Jamie becomes rude after a few drinks and picks a fight with Marianne in the kitchen. Connell walks in just as Jamie deliberately breaks a wine glass. He takes Marianne outside to comfort her and notices her frailty. That night, she shares her room with him and opens up about her brother’s abuse and her mother’s indifference. She questions why she can’t be normal. They start to get intimate, but she pulls away. Connell feels guilty for almost taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Analysis

In these chapters, Rooney emphasizes the communication gap between Marianne and Connell by presenting each character’s perspective on their breakup. Marianne thinks Connell moved home for the summer to date others, making her feel used as she had let him stay at her apartment, introduced him to her friends, and paid for his beers. Joanna tries to get Marianne to explain the breakup, but Marianne, feeling resentful, can’t and ignores Connell’s messages. From Connell’s viewpoint, he wanted to spend the summer with Marianne in Dublin but was too shy to ask, fearing it would seem like a plea for money. When he tells Marianne he has to move out, she assumes he’s going home. In his panic, he suggests she might want to see other people. Both struggle emotionally and Marianne agrees. Connell later thinks Marianne wants to replace him with a wealthy boyfriend. Like Joanna, Lorraine suggests he might have misunderstood the situation. This careful revelation of each character’s viewpoint underscores how their communication flaws significantly affect their lives.

The chapters also delve deeper into how Marianne and Connell’s socioeconomic differences shape their characters and lives. Marianne, who has never lacked money, doesn’t believe in work as it doesn’t contribute to humanity’s betterment. She values the freedom to choose how to spend her time but doesn’t use it beneficially. She fails to consider that Connell has to work for everything. Connell realizes that the money Marianne’s mother pays Lorraine indirectly covers some of his expenses, including things he buys for Marianne. While managing and spending money is a burden for Connell, Marianne can freely spend and forget about it. Connell’s life changes based on his financial situation, while Marianne’s changes are driven by her desires.

This part of the story highlights Marianne and Connell’s attempts to find pleasure in discomfort or pain. When Connell attends the Mass for Marianne’s father, he finds it painful to look at her and reflects on his tendency to fantasize about self-inflicted pain when upset.