In the novel, Chain of Hearts by Maureen McCarthy, the two characters Geraldine and Fran experienced many different events that have been held responsible for their miscommunication in their relationship as sisters. Sisterhood is stronger than of what friends could have as a sister, you have someone to relate to, someone just like you who is always there without meaning to. Geraldine and Fran have gone through so much together that have thrown them apart, by their difference in personalities and their love lives kept their separation strong through all these years.
The two characters are almost opposite in personality which shows a sense of avoidance between the two which has created problems between their relationship with each other. Geraldine's character is very small minded who is organized and plans future events that may or may not involve her family but her future family. Geraldine is self-obsessed and doesn’t like her appearance to get dirty and her social life to be ruined, believes Fran on page 114 “No, you wouldn’t have the patience, would you, because… because, well, your hair might get messed up, you might miss lunch witch one of your dickhead friends.” And her daughter Sophie on page 2 “my mother character traits – she was obsessive, mean minded, controlling and vain…” On the other hand, Fran is quiet and doesn’t seem to fit in with society where she only talked when she was called upon. Fran is unable to be forgetful of her past such as when she was humiliated by her teacher for not doing a certain aspect correct in art, first in the class. “the fact that he’d pulled out three or four other peoples work and given them the same treatment meant nothing. He’d done hers first, and even now, at the end of the year, she hadn’t gotten over it. For that time Fran had avoided his every look in case he decided to single her out again for another attack.” Fran is also unable to stick up for herself which is a problem as in Geraldine’s case; Fran does everything Geraldine wants and says other than having her own authority. This affected their relationship greatly. “… a silence in which Geraldine was telling her to remember that she had no right to lay down any conditions. A silence that reminded Fran just who stood on the moral high ground here. Fran thinks… why? Why do I buy into all that stuff? How come she still has that power over me?” A problem also between their relationships due to difference of personalities is when Fran is responsible for her family such as when she was to look after her father as he laid in his death bed and Geraldine did not help whatsoever, in fact Geraldine didn’t care as much and didn’t apologise for anything. This made Fran very upset. “Dad had a brother and two sisters still living and they were kind and supportive. Thank you Fran, they all wrote… but not a word from Geraldine. Not a word from her. Married to that rich, boring stuffed shirt, she had heaps more time on her hands than me.” (pg. 115). Geraldine and Fran avoid each other with absolute hatred as they have two different personalities which have created problems throughout the years of their relationship.
In other areas of their difference in personalities, they both had a different opinion and their love life also crossed against their relationship holding an everlasting grudge. Paul was to marry Geraldine the whole town was about the fabulous news; Fran was excited of their beautiful love like a normal sister would. But a night before the wedding Paul called it off upsetting the whole family as they sat down and pondered on why this could be. As Fran met Paul again, she finds that he was in love with her all that time. He wanted her not Geraldine. It was said that Paul and Fran were the same in personalities and people, as shown in the quotation, “So lively… so impatient with Geraldine’s smallness. Exactly how I was feeling. And our eyes met, didn’t they?... In answer to your question. I knew then that I absolutely shouldn’t marry Gerry…” (pg. 59). Paul felt the same way as Fran on Geraldine’s vain personality which caused Paul to change his mind and open his eyes to the one he actually wanted. This caused a big gap between the two sisters. Although this may seem as it is all Geraldine’s fault, it isn’t. Fran and Geraldine both hold the same opinion over each other and even though they are opposite. Opposites can attract and get along with each other. As to be sisters would be a splendid thing and to throw it away would be such a waste. It is believed that Geraldine and Fran should both forgive each other and restart. For Geraldine may only care for herself, she does care for her family shown on page 385, “… and I am suddenly filled with admiration for her. My mother is so dignified and friendly… I can see she is genuinely proud of her family” Sophie recalls. Their sisterhood may have been affected due to their love lives and difference from each other which did cause the grudge between the two.
Chain of Hearts by Maureen McCarthy displays the characters Fran and Geraldine as two sisters who hold grudges against each other. Their relationship is being torn apart at the seams as their personalities and love lives consistently increase the hatred for each other. But from aside their hatred, sisters can have the audacity to forgive and forget with willingness, Geraldine and Fran should be able to forgive each other mutually as deep down they still have a genuine love for each other.
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