Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Maurice Bendrix claim the story primarily records?
What does Maurice Bendrix claim the story primarily records?
How does Henry Miles feel about seeing Bendrix?
How does Henry Miles feel about seeing Bendrix?
What does Bendrix hope to learn about Sarah's condition?
What does Bendrix hope to learn about Sarah's condition?
Why does Bendrix initially invite Henry to lunch in 1939?
Why does Bendrix initially invite Henry to lunch in 1939?
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What item does Henry show Bendrix that suggests his suspicion of Sarah?
What item does Henry show Bendrix that suggests his suspicion of Sarah?
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How does Bendrix's interaction with Sarah change throughout the story?
How does Bendrix's interaction with Sarah change throughout the story?
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What does Bendrix do when he sees Henry standing in the rain?
What does Bendrix do when he sees Henry standing in the rain?
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What is Bendrix's perception of his past friendship with Sarah?
What is Bendrix's perception of his past friendship with Sarah?
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What does Henry imply by asking Bendrix to his house?
What does Henry imply by asking Bendrix to his house?
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What is Henry's reaction to Bendrix's inquiry about Sarah's health?
What is Henry's reaction to Bendrix's inquiry about Sarah's health?
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What significant information does Mr. Parkis uncover regarding Sarah's beliefs?
What significant information does Mr. Parkis uncover regarding Sarah's beliefs?
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What action does Bendrix take after reading Sarah's diary?
What action does Bendrix take after reading Sarah's diary?
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Why does Sarah refuse to run away with Bendrix?
Why does Sarah refuse to run away with Bendrix?
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What triggers Bendrix's anger towards God?
What triggers Bendrix's anger towards God?
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During which historical event does the end of Bendrix and Sarah's affair occur?
During which historical event does the end of Bendrix and Sarah's affair occur?
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What does Bendrix discover about Sarah after her death?
What does Bendrix discover about Sarah after her death?
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How does Bendrix's view of God change throughout the story?
How does Bendrix's view of God change throughout the story?
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What role does Father Crompton play in the story?
What role does Father Crompton play in the story?
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What does Sarah hope Richard Smythe can do for her?
What does Sarah hope Richard Smythe can do for her?
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What literary period does The End of the Affair belong to?
What literary period does The End of the Affair belong to?
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What reason does Bendrix give for the end of his affair with Sarah?
What reason does Bendrix give for the end of his affair with Sarah?
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What does Mr.Savage suggest about jealousy in relation to love?
What does Mr.Savage suggest about jealousy in relation to love?
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How does Bendrix's emotional state change after reading the love letter from Sarah?
How does Bendrix's emotional state change after reading the love letter from Sarah?
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During their lunch, what does Sarah express concern about regarding Henry?
During their lunch, what does Sarah express concern about regarding Henry?
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What significant event coincides with the ending of Bendrix and Sarah's affair?
What significant event coincides with the ending of Bendrix and Sarah's affair?
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How does Bendrix initially react to Mr.Parkis’ report about Sarah's activities?
How does Bendrix initially react to Mr.Parkis’ report about Sarah's activities?
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Why is Mr.Parkis worried after following Bendrix and Sarah during lunch?
Why is Mr.Parkis worried after following Bendrix and Sarah during lunch?
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What realization does Bendrix have when Sarah mentions the squeaky stair?
What realization does Bendrix have when Sarah mentions the squeaky stair?
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What gesture does Sarah propose to Bendrix regarding their communication?
What gesture does Sarah propose to Bendrix regarding their communication?
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What shocking discovery does Bendrix make regarding Sarah's love letter?
What shocking discovery does Bendrix make regarding Sarah's love letter?
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What event leads to the end of Bendrix and Sarah's affair?
What event leads to the end of Bendrix and Sarah's affair?
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What does Sarah promise God in exchange for Bendrix's life?
What does Sarah promise God in exchange for Bendrix's life?
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What is Bendrix's reaction after finding out Sarah still loves him?
What is Bendrix's reaction after finding out Sarah still loves him?
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How does Sarah's decision to run away from Bendrix affect her health?
How does Sarah's decision to run away from Bendrix affect her health?
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After Sarah's death, how does Bendrix's view on God change?
After Sarah's death, how does Bendrix's view on God change?
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What action does Bendrix take after learning about Sarah’s journal?
What action does Bendrix take after learning about Sarah’s journal?
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Which character does Bendrix move in with after Sarah's death?
Which character does Bendrix move in with after Sarah's death?
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What does Bendrix petition to God regarding his faith?
What does Bendrix petition to God regarding his faith?
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What drives Bendrix to hire a private detective?
What drives Bendrix to hire a private detective?
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What theme is suggested by Bendrix's complicated relationship with God?
What theme is suggested by Bendrix's complicated relationship with God?
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Study Notes
Summary of The End of the Affair
- Protagonist/Narrator: Maurice Bendrix, a writer, recounts a relationship marked by hate and love.
- Initial Encounter: Bendrix meets Henry Miles, a friend of Sarah, in the rain, initiating a series of interactions driven by jealousy and mistrust.
- Past Relationship: Bendrix and Sarah had a passionate affair, but it ended in 1944 due to a bombing incident during which Bendrix was injured.
- Jealousy and Investigation: Bendrix, consumed by jealousy, hires a detective to track Sarah, seeking evidence of her infidelity.
- Sarah's Confessions: The detective unearths Sarah's diary revealing a promise to God after Bendrix's near-death experience. She hoped to return to Bendrix but feared violating her oath for her marriage.
- Sarah's Illness and Death: Sarah becomes ill and dies, unable to break her vow and reunite with Bendrix.
- Religious Struggle: Bendrix grapples with burgeoning faith after Sarah's death, concluding with his disillusionment and despair.
- Acceptance of Faith versus Love: The novel explores the complexities and pain of religious belief while confronting the devastating loss of love and the enduring power of jealousy.
Historical Context
- World War II: Bendrix and Sarah’s love story unfolds against the backdrop of the London Blitz and later V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks.
- London Bombings: A crucial event in 1944 causes Bendrix to be severely injured, leading to Sarah making a promise to God and ending their relationship.
- Historical Parallels: The novel examines themes of love, loss, and faith against the backdrop of a tumultuous war period.
Supporting Characters
- Henry Miles: Sarah's husband, who is initially unaware of the affair.
- Sarah Miles: The subject of Bendrix’s profound devotion, loyalty, jealousy, and spiritual transformation.
- Mr. Savage: The private detective hired by Bendrix.
- Mr. Parkins: Mr. Savage's informant and eventually the one who gave Bendrix Sarah's diary.
Key Themes
- Love and Hatred: The novel explores the intense complexities and pain behind romantic love and jealousy.
- Jealousy: Bendrix's jealousy is a central driving force in the narrative.
- Religious Belief: The story illustrates how a character's understanding of and position within belief systems can evolve.
- Adultery: Throughout the novel, the concept and effect are explored in regards to relationships.
- Loss: Bendrix's pain stems from the ultimate inability to be with Sarah due to vows and the ultimate death of Sarah.
Additional Details
- Publication Date: 1951
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Description
Test your knowledge of 'The End of the Affair' by Graham Greene. This quiz will cover key themes, character motivations, and plot developments in the story of Maurice Bendrix and Sarah. Dive into the complexities of love, jealousy, and faith portrayed in this poignant narrative.