Rob's Fear of Death

In these chapters, Rob admits that he is afraid of death and dying, and especially afraid of the people he loves dying. What role does this fear of death play in his infidelity? Is this a legitimate reason or just another excuse he has made up? What do you think of his response to Linda’s father’s death?

Rob's fear of death effects his relationships because he is afraid to stay with anyone over an extended period of time because he is worried that he will become dependent on the relationship and then he will lose them and he won't know what to do. Because Rob is afraid to loose the people he loves he keeps jumping from relationship to relationship constantly pushing people away so he won't have to deal with them dying. I personally don't think that this is a legitimate excuse. If you really love someone you should be able to live with the risks. Its always difficult losing someone you love but that doesn't mean you should totally cut yourself off from everyone just because your afraid that if you get to close you'll loose them. I personally feel that Rob needs to grow up. No one likes death, its not supposed to be fun, and no one wants to loose those they love. But if you really love someone its a risk worth taking. Rob just seems to be to immature and if he ever wants to succeed at a relationship he will need to get over his fears. I also feel that the way Rob acted at the funeral was very inappropriate. His ex-girlfriend’s dad dies and still all he can think about is himself. When Liz tells Jo that Laura has been going through some difficult times, Rob immediately assumes that it was him that was making her sad and frustrated and he takes pride in this. To me that is very immature, and it clearly shows that he really doesn’t care for her at all. What he feels for her is superficial and fake. If he really loved her like he seems to think he does then he wouldn’t take pride in the fact that he’s been making her life hell. Either way though it all comes back to that he behaved very inappropriately at the funeral.