stful woman who is driven by the most intimate and loving act two may share, something that Jake just cannot provide her with. Jake's emasculation only puts the two in a grandly ironic situation. Brett is an extremely passionate woman but is denied the first man she feels true love and admiration for. Jake has loved Brett for years and cannot have her because of his inability to have sex. It is obvious that their love is mutual when Jake tries to kiss Brett in their cab ride home: " 'You mustn't. You must know. I can't stand it, that's all. Oh darling, please understand!', 'Don't you love me?', 'Love you? I simply turn all to jelly when you touch me'" (26, Ch. 4). This scene is indicative of their relationship as Jake and Brett hopelessly desire each other but realize the futility of further endeavors. Together, they have both tried to defy reality, but failed. Jake is frustrated by Brett's reappearance into his life and her confession that she is miserably unhappy. Jake asks Brett to go off with him to the country for bit: " 'Couldn't we go off in the country for a while?', 'It wouldn't be any good. I'll go if you like. But I couldn't live quietly in the country. Not with my own true love', 'I know', 'Isn't it rotten? There isn't any use my telling you I love you', 'You know I love you', 'Let's not talk. Talking's all bilge'" (55, Ch. 7). Brett declines Jake's pointless attempt at being together. Both Brett and Jake know that any relationship beyond a friendship cannot be pursued. Jake is still adjusting to his impotence while Brett will not sacrifice a sexual relationship for the man she loves. Since Jake can never be Brett's lover, they are forced to create a new relationship for themselves, perhaps one far more dangerous than that of mere...