A Bicycle Built for Two

As explained by Wolfson in the beginning of “What is Marriage,” marriage has several implications, depending on culture and context. Wolfson explains that marriage is indeed a declaration of “love and dedication to another person (99),” but it is also “a relationship between a couple and the government (100).” The author seeks to show that marriage is complicated and important, for only an important thing has so many definitions. When Wolfson later introduces the topic of same-sex marriage, he wants the reader to remember the definitions, to show what gay couples are forced to forgo. I don’t know much about marriage, but I do know some about happiness, and Wolfson’s explanation of marriage seems thoughtful and rings true. He writes, “For better or for worse, marriage is about choice, whether it be the choice to ‘make it official’ with your beloved and to accept the protections and the responsibilities that accompany that decision; the choice to work at your marriage and make it rewarding and good; the choice to betray or divorce a spouse; or the choice to avoid the institution of marriage altogether (101).” I hadn’t thought about the choice that comes with marriage because choice is so linked with marriage, it blends with it. Marriage comes when a couple decides to wed, and a marriage lasts when a couple decides to remain true.