The Hopeless Romantic
             Hopeless romantics are people who find romance in every situation, who love being in love, or even only a resemblance of that overwhelming feeling. Frances, wife of the mindless nitwit Michael, is just another victim to the hopeless romantic list. In Irwin Shaw's short story "The Girls in Their Summer Dresses" Frances progresses through several different attitudes towards her marriage to Michael, her mindless, uncompassionate husband.
             In the beginning of the story, Frances proposes the idea that her and Michael shall go on a date. Francis brings up the idea of having a picnic in the park to try and revive her marriage. She suggests that the two of them go to the art museum and then later to a restaurant to have dinner. In the meantime, Michael is not paying attention to his affectionate wife, who notices his wandering eyes and later accuses him of looking at other women. In Michael's defense, he exclaims that God gave him eyes and he looks at men, women, and many other numerous objects. Frances gives in to Michael's foolishness, and they proceed to a bar, which leads to another turning point in Frances's outlook toward her marriage.
             They continued walking until they came upon a bar, which the couple had stopped to have drink. Michael begins to affirm his lust for other women, but states that he does not do anything about it. Frances realizes that she is holding back Michael from the other women of New York, which makes her feel rotten. They carry on talking, and later it is revealed that Michael would sometimes like to see other women. This greatly upsets Frances and starts to worry her in thinking that one day Michael will leave her, that maybe her husband is a two-timer. Frances had only a single favor; Michael was not to tell her how pretty the other women are.
             Finally, at the very end of the story, Frances wipes her tears as Michael orders them another drink. Frances ask...