Irresponsibility in High Fidelity by Nick Hornby Essay

Irresponsibility in High Fidelity by Nick Hornby - Essay Example The paper tells about Rob’s irresponsibility that emerges through his lack of commitment, self-destructive attitude and lack of initiative. At the beginning of the novel, the narrator lists his five prior breakups. This breakup portrays the narrator’s inability to sustain a relationship. He seems to be looking for something more that he cannot understand. The first breakup is with Alison Ashworth whom he dated for a few hours. Robs then dated Alison Hardwick, a year after his first breakup. Hardwick could not give into his sexual demands leading to a breakup. Rob, still eager for a relationship, steals his friend’s girlfriend who was called Jackie Allen. This relationship lasted only a few weeks after which Allen left him for his prior boyfriend, Phil. His fourth relationship ends in a breakup as well. The girl in the fourth relationship is Charlie Nicholson whom he met in college. Rob kept thinking that she was too good for him and that she would eventually leav e him for another person. They eventually break up. Rob still earns for relationship and meets Sarah Kendrew, who like Rob, hurts from a breakup. Rob and Kendrew swear to live together forever but Kendrew meets another person and leaves Rob. This string of breakup portrays Rob’s inability to commit fully in a relationship. Numerous breakups may motivate one to get into a mature sustainable relationship. However, Rob wants to be free so that he can act as he pleases. He also wants to enjoy an intimate relationship with a woman. This is irresponsible because he should take some time to assess his feeling and decide on the best course of action. Instead, he is contented by the initial infatuation and intimacy with a woman. After staying with a woman for a while, he starts questioning himself whether the woman is right for him. Rob usually finds reasons to leave her than stay in the relationship. This also happens with Laura, his next girlfriend (Knowles 14). The author uses the numerous girlfriends who broke up with Rob as a symbol to indicate his lack of commitment. His love for music symbolizes his loneliness and need for fulfillment. It is ironic that the author calls the novel high fidelity to highlight commitment to a marital relationship though Rob is committed to himself. Rob’s inability to commit does not apply to relationship but also other aspects in his life. For example, he dropped out of school due to the inability to commit to schooling requirements. He has a music shop that does not reward him significantly though the business does not bother him. He is comfortable with his meager earnings so long as he can afford a meal and shelter. His actions are attributable to lack of commitment to his responsibilities, as well as, woman named Laura. In the event that he was responsible, he would have worked harder to improve his life. Laura eventually prompts him to think of other things that he may enjoy doing in a bid to generate money. A read er is likely to label Rob’s actions are irresponsible. The Commitments by Roddy Doyle depicts the power of commitment. Derek Scully and Foster commit themselves to forming a band though they know little about music. Regardless of their inexperience, they continue pursuing their dream. They sign in more members and struggle to make their dream come true. On the contrary, Rob does not seem to put work hard at