Chapter 12 & 13

In these chapters the theme of lust is accentuated through a character other than Garp.  In these chapters it is Helen who feels lust for a man other than Garp.  Helen is attracted to one of her students, Michael Milton, whom is very “popular” with the girls at his university.  Helen goes so far as to sleep with Michael, cheating on Garp.  Helen tries to rationalize what she is doing.  She tells Michael that she loves Garp, and would never do anything to hurt him, so he can’t find out.  This is how she makes it all better; “he can’t find out”.  It is a terrible justification for her actions, and as a reader I felt infuriated.  When conversing with other who have read the book they too express how infuriating this point in the book is.  As an author, John Irving has done an excellent job of communicating emotion to the reader.

Helen begins to feel guilt when she is with Garp, but Garp is so obsessed with his writing he barely notices.  It is only when one of Michael’s other lovers comes to Garp with a note explaining that his wife is “involved with Michael Milton” (Irving, 348) that Garp realizes what is happening.  Garp feels very hurt by this, and decides to take the children to the movies while Helen calls Michael, to tell him that they cannot see each other any more.  However while Garp is gone, Michael comes to the house to try and convince Helen otherwise.  Michael begins to get his way.  Helen comes out to Michael’s car which is parked in Garp’s driveway.  Helen begins to have oral sex with Michael, but Garp is on his way home.  The chapter ends ominously.  As Garp is coming up the driveway he cuts the engine and the lights and drifts up the driveway.  This entertains the children, however, it is night and Garp does not know there is anyone else in the driveway.  The chapter ends on a crash course.