Accidental Tourist
The Choice
Compared to other novels that deal with love affairs and romances, The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler is different because it takes the reader on a trip through the character’s minds. Macon Leary’s wife separates herself from him. Their problems begin with the death of their son, Ethan Leary. That is not to say that they agree on raising him, because they didn’t. “When Ethan was born, he only brought out more of their differences” (16). They choose to raise Ethan differently. Sarah wants to let him be happy and free, while Macon wants him to be more scheduled and structured. The already struggling relationship is now even more troubled. Macon is not an affectionate person and his wife, Sarah, would surely validate that. When he is going away on business and needs somewhere to board his dog Edward, he encounters Muriel Pritchett, who is straightforward and strange with her introduction. In the beginning it is hard to determine what Macon’s choice will be. If he chooses Sarah, he may not be able to have her because of the way that she feels. Although Macon still feels connected to Sarah, he is more compatible with Muriel.
Sarah is arguably much more normal than Macon, depending on which definition of normal is used. Sarah is more of a team player than Macon is. Macon keeps to his systems, while Sarah wants them to make decisions together. “What harm would it do to wait it out? You’d be showing some concern. You’d be telling me we’re in this together” (4). Macon replies, “I’ve got a system, Sarah. You know I drive according to a system” (4). She can come off as being over dramatic at times, and somewhat annoying, but that could possibly be because we are used to Macon’s mundane personality. Macon still feels that he might in some way be responsible for his son’s death. Sarah tries to convince him that he is not. She does not support his career, which to her seems boring and pointless....
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