The bittersweet love story from “Vaulting the Sea” shows a friendship and romance between Taoyu and Hai, from Taoyu’s point of view. The Romance Writers of America define the genre of romance as “a central love story and an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.” Even though this short story is a part of our love story unit, it does not completely match up with the traditional definition of a love story.
While romance is an important part of “Vaulting the Sea,” the story also follows Taoyu and Hai’s diving careers and other parts of Taoyu’s life. As for the emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending, that is open to interpretation, but in regards to their romantic storyline, the ending does not follow this trope. The two do not end up together, and the story ends with Taoyu accepting Hai will never feel the same way about him and leaving Hai on the diving board alone. However, there are many sections of the short story which fit into the genre of romance wonderfully well, encapsulating the “love story” aspect of “Vaulting the Sea.”
Taoyu and Hai’s love story begins with them meeting at a very young age. Merriam-Webster defines the term “meet-cute” as “a cute, charming, or amusing first encounter between romantic partners.” The meet-cute is significant because it plays into the genre of romance, and it sets up the love story. The start of the relationship can set the tone, and many stories utilize this to help create an attachment to the love interests and their story. In this case, their meet-cute happens on the bus ride to their training center as kids. The two boys sit next to each other and become fast friends. Hai proclaims himself Taoyu’s big brother, and says “I can still teach you stuff you don’t know, you should stick with me” (270).
Later on, Taoyu’s romantic thoughts about Hai are expressed, and he struggles with his feelings. Taoyu is confused by his desires, and it is expressed “Taoyu knew only what he was feeling was wrong” (273). Their deeply rooted friendship further complicates feelings, and as Hai’s relationship with his girlfriend grows, the jealousy and heartbreak Taoyu internalizes only continues. In addition to hiding his feelings from himself, he wonders, “How long could he hide it from his best friend?” The devastatingly bittersweet ending of “Vaulting the Sea” is set up as an unrequited-love story, and it follows through in that way.
Sources:
https://www.rwa.org/Online/Romance_Genre/About_Romance_Genre.aspx
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meet-cute
This is a really nice post. When we started off the romance unit with "vaulting the sea" I was a little taken aback. I was fully expecting the more classic romance story you defined and was not ready for the read to be as heartbreaking as it was. I have to say calling the first meeting of Hai and Taoyu a meet-cute feels a little wrong. While the encounter is set up a lot like a meet-cute, the friends never were or become romantic partners.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great breakdown of the tropes it does and doesn't fall into. As a love story, I thought the ending was kind of disappointing, since we never got Hai's point of view, and there was no reconciliation or explanation at the end. I also think it's strange that that definition of romance excludes types of stories like tragedies. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI like how you discuss the various components that we associate with "love stories." After reading your post, I realized that I definitely do look for things like a meet-cute when expecting a love story. I was also caught off-guard by "Vaulting the Sea" as our first love story, but I think you did a good job explaining how it still fits into the unit even if it does not have a happy or optimistic ending. Great post!
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