Marital conflicts, lack of trust and divorce are among the major social problems affecting our society today. In the story "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses" by Irwin Shaw, the author highlights a couple's broken promise to spend all Sunday afternoon together after Frances discovers that her husband Michael was looking at a pretty young girl. On the other hand, in the story "Gaston" by William Saroyan, the author highlights the challenges faced by a young girl who visits her ex-father and who feels hopeless because she perceives her father as a totally foreign to her. Therefore, both stories highlight the effects of marriage breakdown on the parties involved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay “The Girls in Their Summer Dresses” by Irwin Shaw highlights the love, infidelity and marriage of Frances and Michael during which their marriage takes a gradual downward spiral due to the desire for Michael for beautiful young women. It is obvious that although Frances loves her husband very much, Michael does not love her instead. Frances is unable to do anything to remedy her situation due to the societal stigma associated with divorce. Michael makes his infidelity clear to his wife when he tells her that he doesn't just look at pretty girls. He also dreams of having them. “I love you, but I want them too.” (Shaw 2000). Furthermore, Michael does not care about France's feelings by which he calmly watches Frances cry because of his infidelity. Michael's relationship with Frances is based on physical attractiveness whereby, despite the pain Frances feels from Michael's infidelity, he only looks at her and appreciates her beautiful legs instead. to try to understand the emotional harm he is causing her. Frances is shown as a loving wife who respects and appreciates her husband as she seeks to spend time with her husband. Although Frances discovers that her husband does not truly love her, she calls the Stevensons instead of asking her husband for a divorce since his society does not approve of divorce (Shaw 2000). Society advocated that married couples should stay together despite their differences, which is why divorce was never seen as a solution to marital problems. Irwin Shaw (2000) clearly illustrates that marital problem is a social problem that affects society since all marriages cannot be the same. Irwin illustrates that although some partners consider marriage to be based on love, trust and fidelity; other partners value marriage as an attraction to their partner's physical appearance. The story further highlights the societal, social, and religious perception of marriage and divorce by advocating for married couples to stay together despite their many problems. Additionally, the story illustrates the woman as weak as illustrated in the relationship shared by Michael and Frances where Michael disrespects his wife and in return society does not allow him to do anything other than stick to his marriage despite its many problems. “Gaston” by William Saroyan highlights the social problems faced by a young child due to the breakdown of her parents' marriage. The story highlights the pain and social pressure experienced by the protagonist at such a tender age due to her parents' divorce. Saroyan further highlights the impact of social strangers – his father, on his position in the relationship with his parents. The story highlights the concepts of love and fear felt at the..