Emotionality: Heterosexual Love and Emotional Development in Popular Romance

This book explores the progression of romantic love in popular romance novels, arguing that two forms of love exist: romantic and confluent. It suggests a continuum of love relationships divided into three stages: pre-personal, semi-personal, and personal, where emotions such as jealousy, shame, anger, and self-sacrifice are awakened.

Format: Hardback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the captivating realm of romantic love, exploring its intricate projections and progressive evolution within a diverse selection of popular romance novels. Through a meticulous analysis, it identifies a remarkable innovation within the genres formula and structure, shedding light on the existence of two distinct forms of love: romantic and confluent love. By drawing upon the insightful concept of "confluent love" proposed by Giddens, this book compellingly argues that these texts encompass a seamless continuum that signifies the profound complexity and multifaceted nature of the protagonists' love relationships. This continuum is meticulously divided into three distinct stages: the pre-personal, semi-personal, and personal.

The first phase, aptly named the pre-personal stage, serves as an introduction to the protagonists and vividly depicts the initial sparks of sexual attraction that ignite their connection. It is a delicate dance of anticipation and curiosity, where the boundaries between hearts and bodies begin to blur. In the second phase, the semi-personal stage, the heroine and hero embark on a journey of sexual interaction, driven purely by physical desire and passion. It is a realm of unbridled passion and exploration, where the boundaries between emotions and physicality are blurred. However, as the story unfolds, a transformative shift occurs, marking the beginning of the third and final phase.

In this transformative phase, the protagonists are engulfed by a whirlwind of emotions: jealousy, shame/guilt, anger, and self-sacrifice. These emotions, once buried deep within the depths of their hearts, emerge and are openly acknowledged. It is a testament to the depth and intensity of their love, as they navigate the intricacies of vulnerability, trust, and emotional growth. Through this captivating continuum, the book offers a profound exploration of the complexities of romantic love, shedding light on the transformative power of emotions and the journey of self-discovery that accompanies it. It serves as a testament to the enduring allure of love and the endless possibilities it holds for individuals seeking connection, passion, and profound meaning in their relationships.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032558301