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Moved examples from YMMV that should be on main page
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* AbortedArc: A major element of Russell's character is his unwillingness to stand up to Vivian. We never get to see the two of them have an argument that does not end with Vivian either getting her way or abruptly ending the conversation. That said, [[spoiler:she does eventually come to treat Russell with respect, thanks to a last-minute intervention from Marge]]; however, Russell does not become significantly better at standing up for himself.
* ButNotTooWhite: There is a hint that Vivian's skin tone is a shade darker than she would prefer.
-->'''Russell''': ''(narrating)'' ...I found myself thinking about how naturally beautiful Emily was--no makeup masking skin with a slightly olive undertone...
-->'''Russell''': ''(narrating)'' ...I found myself thinking about how naturally beautiful Emily was--no makeup masking skin with a slightly olive undertone...
* CreatorThumbprint: Although ''Two by Two'' is unique within the Creator/NicholasSparks canon in many ways, there are still plenty of these:
** It takes place in North Carolina. This is a {{Subverted}} example of CreatorProvincialism as it moves from one of several idyllic oceanside towns to Charlotte, the largest city in the state, with some scenes in Atlanta. That said, there is a ShoutOut to Rodanthe, the setting of a previous Sparks work.
** The main character frequently [[TheConfidant confides in]] his wise parents, his wise sibling, and his sibling's wise partner.
** The lead female has dark hair and a "slightly olive" complexion.
** A love interest is an UnkemptBeauty who [[ArtistsAreAttractive makes her living as a painter]].
** The book strongly indicts [[AmbitionIsEvil professional ambition]], [[ThereAreNoGoodExecutives high-powered figures in business]], {{Greed}}, and {{Vanity}}.
** A woman is [[BeautyIsBest praised for her beauty]] while simultaneously condemned for [[ProudBeauty knowing how beautiful she is]] and [[FavorsForTheSexy using it to her advantage]].
** The lead male is resistant to the idea of living in any city other than his hometown.
** The best sign of a relationship's ultimate success is how well a GrandRomanticGesture goes over.
** [[spoiler:Someone from the protagonist's past turns out to have been their OneTrueLove all along.]]
** [[spoiler:Someone [[TheTopicOfCancer dies of cancer]].]]
** It takes place in North Carolina. This is a {{Subverted}} example of CreatorProvincialism as it moves from one of several idyllic oceanside towns to Charlotte, the largest city in the state, with some scenes in Atlanta. That said, there is a ShoutOut to Rodanthe, the setting of a previous Sparks work.
** The main character frequently [[TheConfidant confides in]] his wise parents, his wise sibling, and his sibling's wise partner.
** The lead female has dark hair and a "slightly olive" complexion.
** A love interest is an UnkemptBeauty who [[ArtistsAreAttractive makes her living as a painter]].
** The book strongly indicts [[AmbitionIsEvil professional ambition]], [[ThereAreNoGoodExecutives high-powered figures in business]], {{Greed}}, and {{Vanity}}.
** A woman is [[BeautyIsBest praised for her beauty]] while simultaneously condemned for [[ProudBeauty knowing how beautiful she is]] and [[FavorsForTheSexy using it to her advantage]].
** The lead male is resistant to the idea of living in any city other than his hometown.
** The best sign of a relationship's ultimate success is how well a GrandRomanticGesture goes over.
** [[spoiler:Someone from the protagonist's past turns out to have been their OneTrueLove all along.]]
** [[spoiler:Someone [[TheTopicOfCancer dies of cancer]].]]
* DidntThinkThisThrough:
** When Russell starts to fear that he may be fired, he decides that the only solution is to [[StartMyOwn start his own]] ad agency, since his boss dominates the local advertising industry and he can't get any interviews with ad agencies anywhere else. It never occurs to him (or anyone else) that he could look for a job as an in-house marketing executive in a different industry, perhaps at one of [[https://edpnc.com/industries/corporate-headquarters/ several big-name corporations headquartered in Charlotte]]. Instead, his decision to strike out on his own is a major catalyst in the breakdown of his and Vivian's marriage.
** Vivian claims that Russell effectively forced her get a job of her own by starting his own agency. Russell repeatedly denies this, insisting he "never made her do anything" and, in fact, promised Vivian that her life wouldn't have to change. Not even he fails to secure any accounts after several months does it occur to him why she might feel another income stream is necessary.
** When Russell starts to fear that he may be fired, he decides that the only solution is to [[StartMyOwn start his own]] ad agency, since his boss dominates the local advertising industry and he can't get any interviews with ad agencies anywhere else. It never occurs to him (or anyone else) that he could look for a job as an in-house marketing executive in a different industry, perhaps at one of [[https://edpnc.com/industries/corporate-headquarters/ several big-name corporations headquartered in Charlotte]]. Instead, his decision to strike out on his own is a major catalyst in the breakdown of his and Vivian's marriage.
** Vivian claims that Russell effectively forced her get a job of her own by starting his own agency. Russell repeatedly denies this, insisting he "never made her do anything" and, in fact, promised Vivian that her life wouldn't have to change. Not even he fails to secure any accounts after several months does it occur to him why she might feel another income stream is necessary.
* DramaticallyMissingThePoint: Russell was very much a [[HandsOffParenting hands-off parent]] in London's earliest years. He notes that Vivian was "the one who'd read all the books" leading up to London's birth, and he's in awe of her knowledge of London's needs and her ability to "make it look easy," while all he does with London most days is read her a bedtime story and tuck her in. When Vivian becomes "moodier and more irritable" and starts letting the housework go, he brings in a cleaning lady and a babysitter, he spends a few hours alone with London once a week, and he makes even more surprise romantic gestures than before--all with the main goal of making Vivian "[[ItsAllAboutMe happy with me]]." But it doesn't occur to him that the imbalance of child care in their home may be a big reason why Vivian has become so stressed out. The two never have a serious conversation about this, although Vivian drops plenty of hints.
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* {{Foreshadowing}}: Mrs. Green's constant fears about "the cancer" striking her husband, which are prompted by her having lost her whole family to cancer by the time her younger son was 28. She even dreams about her husband being diagnosed with cancer. [[spoiler:Her worries are justified, and details from her dream come true, but it's not her husband who is afflicted, but her daughter, Marge.]]
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* {{Foreshadowing}}: {{Foreshadowing}}:
** Mrs. Green's constant fears about "the cancer" striking her husband, which are prompted by her having lost her whole family to cancer by the time her younger son was 28. She even dreams about her husband being diagnosed with cancer. [[spoiler:Her worries are justified, and details from her dream come true, but it's not her husband who is afflicted, but her daughter, Marge.]]
** Mrs. Green's constant fears about "the cancer" striking her husband, which are prompted by her having lost her whole family to cancer by the time her younger son was 28. She even dreams about her husband being diagnosed with cancer. [[spoiler:Her worries are justified, and details from her dream come true, but it's not her husband who is afflicted, but her daughter, Marge.]]
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* {{Gaslighting}}: One of the many fights that Vivian picks with Russell concerns the fact that she was not present when London rode her bike without training wheels for the first time, even though, as Russell recalls, Vivian has never encouraged London to ride it before:
-->'''Russell''': "You didn't want the bike in the first place."
-->'''Vivian''': "Of course I wanted London to have a bike! Why would you think that? I'm the one who bought it for her for Christmas."
-->'''Russell''': ''(narrating)'' I stared at her, thinking, ''I had to drag you to the store.'' Did she really not remember it that way? Or was I going crazy?
-->'''Russell''': "You didn't want the bike in the first place."
-->'''Vivian''': "Of course I wanted London to have a bike! Why would you think that? I'm the one who bought it for her for Christmas."
-->'''Russell''': ''(narrating)'' I stared at her, thinking, ''I had to drag you to the store.'' Did she really not remember it that way? Or was I going crazy?
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* InternalDeconstruction:
** Russell and Vivian's romance begins as many Sparks romances do, with instant passion that quickly leads to a serious commitment despite [[OppositesAttract different values, interests, and temperaments]]. Yet as these differences become irreconcilable and Russell realizes [[LovingAShadow how little]] he really knows about Vivian, he begins reflecting on his past relationship with Emily, which was more companionate in nature and characterized by ''shared'' values, interests, and temperaments. Given the timing of this book, this aspect of the story could be interpreted as Sparks's realization that the fast-burning, opposite-attracting romances of his previous books--to say nothing of his own [[https://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/about-you/nicholas-sparks-on-getting-lucky-in-love/ fast-burning romance]] with his ex-wife--probably wouldn't work out so well in real life.
** We [[TheUnReveal never find out for certain]] why [[spoiler: Vivian thinks her marriage to Russell isn't worth saving]], but there are some strong hints. Russell notes that Vivian became "moodier and more irritable" throughout the early years of parenthood, which doesn't make sense to him because she "made motherhood look easily." He seems to believe the solutions are to hire household help and allow her to spend money on herself, despite the impact all this has on their budget, and to put more effort than ever into [[GrandRomanticGesture romantic gestures]] that Vivian has come to regard as routine. Yet he makes no attempt to discover the source of her changing moods—which may amount to undiagnosed [[{{UsefulNotes/Depression}} postpartum depression]]—and identify a long-term solution. Nor does she attempt to broach the subject with him, instead [[ObviouslyNotFine bottling up her true feelings]] and channeling her frustrations into defiant and contemptuous behavior. In general, [[PoorCommunicationKills bad communication]] comes to be the theme of their relationship. Contrast this with Sparks's 2003 novel ''The Wedding'', in which a series of romantic gestures are enough to save a 30-year marriage that had also lacked communication and compromise in many areas.
* ItsAllAboutMe: While Vivian is certainly guilty of this, Russell is by no means immune to selfishness himself. He repeatedly expects the women in his life to upend their days to make his own easier. He believes his nascent dream of starting his own business is as or more important than bringing in a steady income when there's a mortgage and a young child to consider. And then there's this damning bit of narration:
-->...what I wanted more than anything was for Vivian to be happy. Or, more specifically, ''happy with me''.
** Russell and Vivian's romance begins as many Sparks romances do, with instant passion that quickly leads to a serious commitment despite [[OppositesAttract different values, interests, and temperaments]]. Yet as these differences become irreconcilable and Russell realizes [[LovingAShadow how little]] he really knows about Vivian, he begins reflecting on his past relationship with Emily, which was more companionate in nature and characterized by ''shared'' values, interests, and temperaments. Given the timing of this book, this aspect of the story could be interpreted as Sparks's realization that the fast-burning, opposite-attracting romances of his previous books--to say nothing of his own [[https://www.eharmony.com/dating-advice/about-you/nicholas-sparks-on-getting-lucky-in-love/ fast-burning romance]] with his ex-wife--probably wouldn't work out so well in real life.
** We [[TheUnReveal never find out for certain]] why [[spoiler: Vivian thinks her marriage to Russell isn't worth saving]], but there are some strong hints. Russell notes that Vivian became "moodier and more irritable" throughout the early years of parenthood, which doesn't make sense to him because she "made motherhood look easily." He seems to believe the solutions are to hire household help and allow her to spend money on herself, despite the impact all this has on their budget, and to put more effort than ever into [[GrandRomanticGesture romantic gestures]] that Vivian has come to regard as routine. Yet he makes no attempt to discover the source of her changing moods—which may amount to undiagnosed [[{{UsefulNotes/Depression}} postpartum depression]]—and identify a long-term solution. Nor does she attempt to broach the subject with him, instead [[ObviouslyNotFine bottling up her true feelings]] and channeling her frustrations into defiant and contemptuous behavior. In general, [[PoorCommunicationKills bad communication]] comes to be the theme of their relationship. Contrast this with Sparks's 2003 novel ''The Wedding'', in which a series of romantic gestures are enough to save a 30-year marriage that had also lacked communication and compromise in many areas.
* ItsAllAboutMe: While Vivian is certainly guilty of this, Russell is by no means immune to selfishness himself. He repeatedly expects the women in his life to upend their days to make his own easier. He believes his nascent dream of starting his own business is as or more important than bringing in a steady income when there's a mortgage and a young child to consider. And then there's this damning bit of narration:
-->...what I wanted more than anything was for Vivian to be happy. Or, more specifically, ''happy with me''.
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* PastimesProvePersonality: We know [[IntendedAudienceReaction how the reader is meant to feel about Vivian]] because of her likes (reality TV, fashion, the gym) and dislikes (junk food, the outdoors). Meanwhile, Russell pats himself on the back in one scene for going through an entire idle day without reading any celebrity gossip.
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* SelfInsertFic: Most of ''Two by Two'' was written after Nicholas Sparks and his wife, Cathy, divorced. Like Sparks, Russell makes his living as a writer (albeit in advertising), and his view of relationships is largely informed by romantic fiction. Sparks has admitted that the beginning of the story, in which Russell showers while Vivian is in labor, was inspired by [[https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-nicholas-sparks-20-years-of-love-stories-20161019-story.html his own actions]] [[RealLifeWritesThePlot in real life]]. All that said, he has {{Downplayed}} this trope by stressing that Vivian and Cathy are very different people.
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* UnreliableNarrator: {{Downplayed}}. We are mostly meant to accept Russell's version of events but there are subtle clues that when it comes to Vivian, Russell's memory can be selective. For instance, the book starts with an anecdote about Russell's clueless behaviour when Vivian went into labour, where Vivian's exasperation with him is probably something that most readers will share, but Russell still seems oblivious to what exactly he had done wrong. Similarly, there are times when Russell describes Vivian's reactions as being unpredictable, but later, hearing the explanation from Vivian's own perspective makes the reader less certain that she was being so unreasonable after all.
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* ParentsAsPeople: Vivian believes it's better for London to have a stay-at-home mother, and she and Russell are able to make this happen in the years before London starts school. However, Vivian appears to become increasingly dissatisfied with this role, and she mentions after she goes back to work that she feels like "the real me" has been restored. [[StayInTheKitchen Russell doesn't appear too pleased to hear her say this]] and defends her previous SAHM role as "meaningful, too."
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* DotingGrandparent: Russell and Marge note that both of their parents are much more affectionate and indulgent with London than they were when their own children were her age.
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* GrandparentFavoritism: Russell and Marge note that both of their parents are much more affectionate and indulgent with London than they were when their own children were her age.
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* [[spoiler:AwfulWeddedLife]]: [[spoiler:Russell and Vivian's marriage gradually descends into this, with [[YankTheDogsChain occasional glimmers of hope]], until they split up.]]
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* [[spoiler:AwfulWeddedLife]]: AwfulWeddedLife: [[spoiler:Russell and Vivian's marriage gradually descends into this, with [[YankTheDogsChain occasional glimmers of hope]], until they split up.]]
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* [[spoiler:BuryYourGays]]: [[spoiler:Marge]]
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* [[spoiler:BuryYourGays]]: BuryYourGays: [[spoiler:Marge]]
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* [[spoiler:DivorceAssetsConflict]]: [[spoiler:Vivian's divorce lawyer provokes one of these, mostly as leverage so Vivian can get sole custody of London. She doesn't, and the division of assets ends up going [[AmicablyDivorced fairly smoothly]] in the end.]]
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* [[spoiler:DivorceAssetsConflict]]: DivorceAssetsConflict: [[spoiler:Vivian's divorce lawyer provokes one of these, mostly as leverage so Vivian can get sole custody of London. She doesn't, and the division of assets ends up going [[AmicablyDivorced fairly smoothly]] in the end.]]
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!! Tropes\\
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!!
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* YouAreFat: Vivian is known to criticize Russell's few extra pounds and his choice of snacks, even right in front of his sister and her girlfriend.
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* YouAreFat: Vivian is known to criticize Russell's few extra pounds and his choice of snacks, even right in front of his sister and her girlfriend.girlfriend.
----
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No longer a trope.
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* YouAreFat: Vivian is known to criticize Russell's few extra pounds and his choice of snacks, even right in front of his sister and her girlfriend.
* YourCheatingHeart: Russell is worried that his friendship with Emily might seem to be crossing some boundaries, given that they had been a long-term couple in the past before he met Vivian. Ironically, [[spoiler: the spouse who first cheats is Vivian, when she falls in love with her boss, Walter Spannerman]].
** Even more ironically, Russell and Emily's relationship broke down in the first place because of his own one-night stand with another girl.
* YourCheatingHeart: Russell is worried that his friendship with Emily might seem to be crossing some boundaries, given that they had been a long-term couple in the past before he met Vivian. Ironically, [[spoiler: the spouse who first cheats is Vivian, when she falls in love with her boss, Walter Spannerman]].
** Even more ironically, Russell and Emily's relationship broke down in the first place because of his own one-night stand with another girl.
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* YouAreFat: Vivian is known to criticize Russell's few extra pounds and his choice of snacks, even right in front of his sister and her girlfriend.
* YourCheatingHeart: Russell is worried that his friendship with Emily might seem to be crossing some boundaries, given that they had been a long-term couple in the past before he met Vivian. Ironically, [[spoiler: the spouse who first cheats is Vivian, when she falls in love with her boss, Walter Spannerman]].
** Even more ironically, Russell and Emily's relationship broke down in the first place because of his own one-night stand with another girl.girlfriend.
* YourCheatingHeart: Russell is worried that his friendship with Emily might seem to be crossing some boundaries, given that they had been a long-term couple in the past before he met Vivian. Ironically, [[spoiler: the spouse who first cheats is Vivian, when she falls in love with her boss, Walter Spannerman]].
** Even more ironically, Russell and Emily's relationship broke down in the first place because of his own one-night stand with another girl.
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* RightForTheWrongReasons: Marge can tell that Vivian is up to something because she mentions her boss's name quite often, whereas Russell has no idea what Marge's boss is called. Apparently, despite how close they are and how often they speak, Marge has never unloaded about her work day to Russell. [[spoiler:She's right, but it's an odd heuristic.]]
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Hello Nurse Renamed per TRS
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* ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful: Vivian is a [[ChickMagnet Dude Magnet]] who [[TheTease does little to discourage attention]] [[HelloNurse from other men]], and is not above [[FavorsForTheSexy using this attention to her advantage]]. This [[SoBeautifulItsACurse creates tension]] in her relationship with Russell, especially after she becomes the RightHandHottie to Walter Spannerman. However frustrated Russell may be over this and other problems in their marriage, Vivian seems to be aware that [[DistractedByTheSexy she can seduce him]] into [[EasilyForgiven forgiving her]] and returning into his ExtremeDoormat ways [[ManipulativeBitch whenever she wants]].
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* ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful: Vivian is a [[ChickMagnet Dude Magnet]] DudeMagnet and HeadTurningBeauty who [[TheTease does little to discourage attention]] [[HelloNurse from other men]], men, and is not above [[FavorsForTheSexy using this attention to her advantage]]. This [[SoBeautifulItsACurse creates tension]] in her relationship with Russell, especially after she becomes the RightHandHottie to Walter Spannerman. However frustrated Russell may be over this and other problems in their marriage, Vivian seems to be aware that [[DistractedByTheSexy she can seduce him]] into [[EasilyForgiven forgiving her]] and returning into his ExtremeDoormat ways [[ManipulativeBitch whenever she wants]].
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* [[spoiler:BuryYourGays]]: [[spoiler:Marge]]
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** [[spoiler:DivorceAssetsConflict]]: [[spoiler:Vivian's divorce lawyer provokes one of these, mostly as leverage so Vivian can get sole custody of London. She doesn't, and the division of assets ends up going fairly smoothly in the end.]]
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* [[spoiler:AwfulWeddedLife]]: [[spoiler:Russell and Vivian's marriage gradually descends into this, with [[YankTheDogsChain occasional glimmers of hope]], until they split up.]]
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** [[spoiler:DivorceAssetsConflict]]: [[spoiler:Vivian's divorce lawyer provokes one of these, mostly as leverage so Vivian can get sole custody of London. She doesn't, and the division of assets ends up going fairly smoothly in the end.]]
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** The scene of Vivian's labor is a case of both RecycledScript and RealLifeWritesThePlot for Sparks: A similar scene can be found in his 2005 novel ''At First Sight'', which was originally inspired by [[https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-nicholas-sparks-20-years-of-love-stories-20161019-story.html what Sparks himself did]] before his ex-wife gave birth to their first child.
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* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Vivian is angry at Russell the first time we ever see them together; this is justified because right after her [[ScreamingBirth labor pains]] begin, [[ItSeemedLikeAGoodIdeaAtTheTime he jumps in the shower so we will look decent for photos later]]. The real BitchAlert comes one chapter later, where we learn that Vivian has a habit of running up the credit card bill on clothes and shoes for herself, and that Russell knows to drop an argument whenever she indicates annoyance.
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* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Vivian is angry at Russell the first time we ever see them together; this is justified because right after her [[ScreamingBirth labor pains]] begin, [[ItSeemedLikeAGoodIdeaAtTheTime he jumps in the shower so we he will look decent for photos later]]. The real BitchAlert comes one chapter later, where we learn that Vivian has a habit of running up the credit card bill on clothes and shoes for herself, and that Russell knows to drop an argument whenever she indicates annoyance.annoyance.
** The scene of Vivian's labor is a case of both RecycledScript and RealLifeWritesThePlot for Sparks: A similar scene can be found in his 2005 novel ''At First Sight'', which was originally inspired by [[https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-nicholas-sparks-20-years-of-love-stories-20161019-story.html what Sparks himself did]] before his ex-wife gave birth to their first child.
** The scene of Vivian's labor is a case of both RecycledScript and RealLifeWritesThePlot for Sparks: A similar scene can be found in his 2005 novel ''At First Sight'', which was originally inspired by [[https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-nicholas-sparks-20-years-of-love-stories-20161019-story.html what Sparks himself did]] before his ex-wife gave birth to their first child.
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* UnkemptBeauty: Russell frequently compares Emily's seemingly effortless good looks to Vivian's constant grooming, shopping, and dieting.
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* UnkemptBeauty: Russell frequently compares Emily's [[MakeupIsEvil seemingly effortless good looks looks]] to Vivian's constant grooming, shopping, and dieting.
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* LoveMartyr: Despite many [[GrandRomanticGesture grand romantic gestures]], Russell, who admits to getting his notions of romance [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel from fiction]], had [[HopelessSuitor bad luck with women]] before meeting Emily; he usually ended up JustFriends with women he fancied and couldn't understand why he, [[DoggedNiceGuy a nice guy]], [[NiceGuysFinishLast finished last]]. As a married man, his dislike of conflict is a big reason why [[HenpeckedHusband Vivian can run roughshod over him]], but accepts his lot out of love for her despite being aware of this. Over the course of the story, he begins to come to terms with [[DudeWheresMyRespect how little respect]] he gets from his wife. Despite all this, [[spoiler:[[SecondActBreakup after Vivian picks up and leaves him]], [[WhyWouldAnyoneTakeHimBack he still wants to salvage their marriage!]] Thankfully, this does not last.]]
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* LoveMartyr: Despite many [[GrandRomanticGesture grand romantic gestures]], Russell, who admits to getting his notions of romance [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel from fiction]], had [[HopelessSuitor bad luck with women]] before meeting Emily; he usually ended up JustFriends with women he fancied and couldn't understand why he, [[DoggedNiceGuy a nice guy]], [[NiceGuysFinishLast finished last]]. As a married man, his dislike of conflict is a big reason why [[HenpeckedHusband Vivian can run roughshod over him]], but accepts his lot out of love for her despite being aware of this. Over the course of the story, he begins to come to terms with [[DudeWheresMyRespect how little respect]] he gets from [[FalseSoulmate his wife.wife]]. Despite all this, [[spoiler:[[SecondActBreakup after Vivian picks up and leaves him]], [[WhyWouldAnyoneTakeHimBack he still wants to salvage their marriage!]] Thankfully, this does not last.]]
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* ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful: Vivian is a [[ChickMagnet Dude Magnet]] who [[TheTease does little to discourage attention]] from other men, and is not above [[FavorsForTheSexy using this attention to her advantage]]. This [[SoBeautifulItsACurse creates tension]] in her relationship with Russell, especially after she becomes the RightHandHottie to Walter Spannerman. However frustrated Russell may be over this and other problems in their marriage, Vivian seems to be aware that [[DistractedByTheSexy she can seduce him]] into [[EasilyForgiven forgiving her]] and returning into his ExtremeDoormat ways [[ManipulativeBitch whenever she wants]].
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* ScrewTheRulesImBeautiful: Vivian is a [[ChickMagnet Dude Magnet]] who [[TheTease does little to discourage attention]] [[HelloNurse from other men, men]], and is not above [[FavorsForTheSexy using this attention to her advantage]]. This [[SoBeautifulItsACurse creates tension]] in her relationship with Russell, especially after she becomes the RightHandHottie to Walter Spannerman. However frustrated Russell may be over this and other problems in their marriage, Vivian seems to be aware that [[DistractedByTheSexy she can seduce him]] into [[EasilyForgiven forgiving her]] and returning into his ExtremeDoormat ways [[ManipulativeBitch whenever she wants]].
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* HiddenDepths: Vivian, despite coming across as an AlphaBitch some of the time, is actually a loving mother and is surprisingly decent when it comes to interacting with Russell's family.
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* HiddenDepths: Vivian, despite coming across as an AlphaBitch some of the time, is actually a loving mother and is surprisingly decent when it comes to interacting with Russell's family. Vivian graduated ''summa cum laude'' from Georgetown.
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* Jerkass: Vivian [[LackOfEmpathy rarely considers Russell's point of view]] or [[ItsAllAboutMe discusses her decisions with him]] before [[BecauseISaidSo stating them as a matter of fact]]. If he tries to raise any concerns, she [[QuitYourWhining accuses him of trying to start an argument]], or simply leaves the room. If something is objectively her fault, [[NeverMyFault she always finds a way to turn it around on Russell]]; at times she [[MoralMyopia attacks him for actions that she had made previously]]. Despite all this, until the last few days before [[spoiler:their marriage breaks down for good]], Russell [[DesperatelyCravesAffection never stops going out of his way to please Vivian]], who has come to expect this and [[AllTakeAndNoGive barely expresses sincere gratitude, appreciation, or affection for him]].
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* Jerkass: {{Jerkass}}: Vivian [[LackOfEmpathy rarely considers Russell's point of view]] or [[ItsAllAboutMe discusses her decisions with him]] before [[BecauseISaidSo stating them as a matter of fact]]. If he tries to raise any concerns, she [[QuitYourWhining accuses him of trying to start an argument]], or simply leaves the room. If something is objectively her fault, [[NeverMyFault she always finds a way to turn it around on Russell]]; at times she [[MoralMyopia attacks him for actions that she had made previously]]. Despite all this, until the last few days before [[spoiler:their marriage breaks down for good]], Russell [[DesperatelyCravesAffection never stops going out of his way to please Vivian]], who has come to expect this and [[AllTakeAndNoGive barely expresses sincere gratitude, appreciation, or affection for him]]. ''HOWEVER'', [[JerkassWithAHeartOfGold she is generally a very good mother to London]].
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* ItsAllAboutMe: Vivian rarely considers Russell's point of view or discusses her decisions with him before [[BecauseISaidSo stating them as a matter of fact]]. If he tries to raise any concerns, she [[QuitYourWhining accuses him of trying to start an argument]], or simply leaves the room. If something is objectively her fault, [[NeverMyFault she always finds a way to turn it around on Russell]]. Despite all this, until the last few days before [[spoiler:their marriage breaks down for good]], Russell [[DesperatelyCravesAffection never stops going out of his way to please Vivian]], who has come to expect this and [[AllTakeAndNoGive barely expresses sincere gratitude, appreciation, or affection for him]].
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* ItsAllAboutMe: Jerkass: Vivian [[LackOfEmpathy rarely considers Russell's point of view view]] or [[ItsAllAboutMe discusses her decisions with him him]] before [[BecauseISaidSo stating them as a matter of fact]]. If he tries to raise any concerns, she [[QuitYourWhining accuses him of trying to start an argument]], or simply leaves the room. If something is objectively her fault, [[NeverMyFault she always finds a way to turn it around on Russell]].Russell]]; at times she [[MoralMyopia attacks him for actions that she had made previously]]. Despite all this, until the last few days before [[spoiler:their marriage breaks down for good]], Russell [[DesperatelyCravesAffection never stops going out of his way to please Vivian]], who has come to expect this and [[AllTakeAndNoGive barely expresses sincere gratitude, appreciation, or affection for him]].
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* MiseryBuildsCharacter: The main premise of Russell's arc.
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* LoveMartyr: Despite many [[GrandRomanticGesture grand romantic gestures]], Russell, who admits to getting his notions of romance [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel from fiction]], had [[HopelessSuitor bad luck with women]] before meeting Emily; he usually ended up JustFriends with women he fancied and couldn't understand why he, [[DoggedNiceGuy a nice guy]], [[NiceGuysFinishLast finished last]]. As a married man, his dislike of conflict is a big reason why [[HenpeckedHusband Vivian can run roughshod over him]], but accepts his lot out of love for her despite being aware of this. Over the course of the story, he begins to come to terms with [[DudeWheresMyRespect how little respect]] he gets from his wife. Despite all this, [[spoiler:[[SecondActBreakup after Vivian picks up and leaves him]], [[WhyWouldAnyoneTakeHimBack he ''still'' wants to salvage their marriage!]] Thankfully, this does not last.]]
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* LoveMartyr: Despite many [[GrandRomanticGesture grand romantic gestures]], Russell, who admits to getting his notions of romance [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel from fiction]], had [[HopelessSuitor bad luck with women]] before meeting Emily; he usually ended up JustFriends with women he fancied and couldn't understand why he, [[DoggedNiceGuy a nice guy]], [[NiceGuysFinishLast finished last]]. As a married man, his dislike of conflict is a big reason why [[HenpeckedHusband Vivian can run roughshod over him]], but accepts his lot out of love for her despite being aware of this. Over the course of the story, he begins to come to terms with [[DudeWheresMyRespect how little respect]] he gets from his wife. Despite all this, [[spoiler:[[SecondActBreakup after Vivian picks up and leaves him]], [[WhyWouldAnyoneTakeHimBack he ''still'' still wants to salvage their marriage!]] Thankfully, this does not last.]]
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Changed line(s) 51 (click to see context) from:
* LoveMartyr: Despite many [[GrandRomanticGesture grand romantic gestures]], Russell, who admits to getting his notions of romance [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel from fiction]], had [[HopelessSuitor bad luck with women]] before meeting Emily; he usually ended up JustFriends with women he fancied and couldn't understand why he, [[DoggedNiceGuy a nice guy]], [[NiceGuysFinishLast finished last]]. As a married man, his dislike of conflict is a big reason why [[HenpeckedHusband Vivian can run roughshod over him]], but accepts his lot out of love for her despite being aware of this. Over the course of the story, he begins to come to terms with [[DudeWheresMyRespect how little respect]] he gets from his wife. Despite all this, [[spoiler:after Vivian picks up and leaves him, [[WhyWouldAnyoneTakeHimBack he ''still'' wants to salvage their marriage!]] Thankfully, this does not last.]]
to:
* LoveMartyr: Despite many [[GrandRomanticGesture grand romantic gestures]], Russell, who admits to getting his notions of romance [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel from fiction]], had [[HopelessSuitor bad luck with women]] before meeting Emily; he usually ended up JustFriends with women he fancied and couldn't understand why he, [[DoggedNiceGuy a nice guy]], [[NiceGuysFinishLast finished last]]. As a married man, his dislike of conflict is a big reason why [[HenpeckedHusband Vivian can run roughshod over him]], but accepts his lot out of love for her despite being aware of this. Over the course of the story, he begins to come to terms with [[DudeWheresMyRespect how little respect]] he gets from his wife. Despite all this, [[spoiler:after [[spoiler:[[SecondActBreakup after Vivian picks up and leaves him, him]], [[WhyWouldAnyoneTakeHimBack he ''still'' wants to salvage their marriage!]] Thankfully, this does not last.]]
