--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I asked why we kept trying for so long…" description: "\"“I asked why we kept trying for so long, why we even came to Paris, if we both knew we never really stood a chance. “Because that’s what you’re suppose..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/laura-van-den-berg-4314_marriage_i-asked-why-we-kept-trying-for-so-long-w_1785998.jpg" --- # I asked why we kept trying for so long, why we even came… ![“I asked why we kept trying for so long, why we even came to Paris, if we both knew we never really stood a chance. “Because that’s what you’re supposed to do,” he said. “You’re supposed to keep working on your marriage.” It was awful to me, this idea that keeping a marriage together was like…” quote by Laura van den Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/laura-van-den-berg-4314_marriage_i-asked-why-we-kept-trying-for-so-long-w_1785998.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/laura-van-den-berg-4314_marriage_i-asked-why-we-kept-trying-for-so-long-w_1785998.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d52/laura-van-den-berg-4314_marriage_i-asked-why-we-kept-trying-for-so-long-w_1785998.jpg) > ““I asked why we kept trying for so long, why we even came to Paris, if we both knew we never really stood a chance. “Because that’s what you’re supposed to do,” he said. “You’re supposed to keep working on your marriage.” It was awful to me, this idea that keeping a marriage together was like laying pipe or digging a ditch. But he was right: it was what people had told us we were supposed to do. We had listened to sentences containing words like “salvage” and “repair” and nodded dumbly, pretending we didn’t know any better. It was an affront to everyone involved.”” [Laura van den Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-van-den-berg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal expectations pressure couples into maintaining relationships despite incompatibility, leading to resentment. **In simple terms:** People feel forced to stay together. Key Takeaway Question norms and prioritize genuine connection. Themes marriage societal pressure expectations Mood conflicted thoughtful Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - counseling sessions - family gatherings - life milestones - relationship crises Key Concepts commitment communication authenticity Questions to Reflect On - What would a healthy partnership look like without external pressure? - How can couples redefine “success” in marriage? A Different Perspective Not all marriages benefit from forced perseverance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Keeping Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeping-marriage-1748058/) [Kept Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kept-trying-1063841/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Awful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-awful-1902396/) [Marriage Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-like/) [Supposed Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supposed-said-900085/) ## Related quotes > [“The secret to keeping your marriage filled with love in a cup Whenever you’re wrong, admit it, whenever you’re right, shut up”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-cicero/the-secret-to-keeping-your-marriage-filled-with-love-in-a-cup/) [Karen Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-cicero/) > [“What happy and successful single people are threatening is not the institution of marriage but the cultural consensus on its special value. 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