So much love, too much love, it is our madness, it is rotting us out, exploding us like dandelion polls

So much love, too much love, it is our madness, it is rotting us out, exploding us like dandelion polls

John Updike, a prolific American author known for his insightful and often controversial portrayals of human relationships, delves deep into the complexities of love in his works. In his novel "Couples," Updike explores the theme of love and its destructive power, capturing the essence of the quote, "So much love, too much love, it is our madness, it is rotting us out, exploding us like dandelion polls."

In "Couples," Updike presents a group of couples living in a suburban community in the 1960s, navigating the complexities of love, desire, and infidelity. The characters in the novel are consumed by their intense emotions, their love for each other bordering on obsession. The quote encapsulates the overwhelming nature of their love, which threatens to consume them entirely.

The idea of love as a destructive force is a recurring theme in Updike's works. In his novel "Rabbit, Run," the protagonist Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom's tumultuous relationships with women reflect the quote's sentiment. Rabbit's insatiable desire for love and validation leads him down a path of self-destruction, as he becomes entangled in a web of affairs and betrayals.

Updike's exploration of love as a double-edged sword is a reflection of the complexities of human relationships. Love has the power to uplift and inspire, but it can also lead to madness and destruction when taken to extremes. The quote highlights the fine line between passion and obsession, and the consequences of allowing love to consume us entirely.