ABSTRACT

The trajectory of Celine and Jesse’s relationship is in many ways a case study of what it is to be in a romantic relationship, understood as a form of friendship in the way just described. The literary use of a journey both literally and metaphorically to get inside the head of someone is familiar, and the Before trilogy draws our attention to parallels with a striking example. Before Sunrise concludes with a montage of the different places in Vienna Celine and Jesse had been, but without them being present. Before Sunset begins with a montage of the various places in Paris Celine and Jesse will be, again without them being present. To quote the palm reader, Jesse will keep on learning, and Celine will keep on needing to resign herself to the awkwardness of life. In the real world, it seems, this might be as close to the ideal as a romantic relationship can get.