Elective Affinities

EduardandCharlotteareanaristocraticcouplewholiveaharmoniousbutidlelifeintheirestate.Butthepeaceoftheirexistenceisthrownintochaoswhentwovisitors-Eduard'sfriendtheCaptainandCharlotte'spassionateyoungwardOttilie-provokeunexpectedattractionandforbiddenlove.Takingitstitlefromtheprincipleofelectiveaffinities-thetheorythatcertainchemicalsarenaturallydrawntooneanother-thisisapenetratingstudyofmarriageandadultery.InspiredbyGoethe'sownconflictingloyaltiesashebattledtomaintainhisrelationshipwithhiswifeandcontrolhisfeelingsforayoungerwoman,ElectiveAffinitiesisoneofthegreatestworksoftheromanceera:arichexplorationoflove,conflict,andtheinescapableforceoffate.