Final answer:
The question asks about the intricacies of love and duty within literature, highlighting characters who deal with the authenticity and depth of their feelings. It involves examining whether love is a choice or influenced by deeper, uncontrollable forces. The inquiry delves into the literary exploration of human emotions and the conflict between rationality and instinct in relationships.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question centers on the complex themes of love, duty, and the struggle with internal desires portrayed in literature. The context provided explores characters who question the authenticity and nature of their love. For instance, Trina grapples with whether her feelings for McTeague are genuine or a product of circumstance and force. She contemplates the involuntary aspect of their bond and whether it stems from a desire for dominance or an inherent necessity in her, prompting introspection about the essence of her affection. Similarly, Dexter struggles with his relationship with Judy and Irene, facing the reality that love can be an uncontrollable force, leading to ecstasy and profound pain. The passages collectively illustrate the internal conflict characters face when discerning the nature of their love, forced to confront whether their feelings result from genuine emotion or societal and instinctual pressures.
The overarching theme in these narratives is the complexity of human emotions and the often uncontrollable nature of love and desire, questioning whether individuals truly understand their feelings or if they are subject to forces beyond their control. The struggle between rational choice and subconscious urges is apparent, revealing the deep-rooted conflicts that love and duty evoke in human relationships. In literature, this subject often leads to a rich exploration of character development and moral ambiguity.