Romance Writing Problem: Messing Up the Good Relationship Continued

Tarzan abounds with external problems.

In a prior post, I complain about the romance where the couple are supposed to totally, absolutely, fundamentally "get" each other--

--right up until a minor inconvenience (not a crazy wife in the attic) sends them in opposite directions. It kind of undermines the whole "we could practically live in each other's skins we know each other so well!" claim. 

From the writing perspective, a classic narrative arc requires some kind of problem/separation. Classic melodramas (see Tarzan and Jane) have a leg up here since the problem can be entirely external. 

But modern romances require some internal angst. 

One solution is to move the soulmates out of one setting into another setting. 

This is surprisingly effective. The truth is, an idyllic setting with no pressures (such as work, family, social, financial) can easily create romance. Can the romance survive the pressures of work, family, social, financial doubts once the characters leave the island/Love Boat? 

In a rather off-hand way (the bad guys are mostly external), Tarzan and His Mate does address this. Despite the wide range of dangerous animals among whom Tarzan and Jane cavort, they appear to inhabit an idyllic world. When Jane's friends from elsewhere show up with the latest clothes and record albums, they temporarily transform her and Tarzan's world into trending-city-life. 

The temptation--if it even is a temptation (Sullivan gives Jane a take-it-or-leave-it attitude)--doesn't last. And the modern world isn't withstood due to any inner calculation by Jane or Tarzan. Rather, it is eaten by lions and trampled to death by elephants. Only the lovers survive.

Other books and movies have tackled the issue of changing worlds more directly. Jane Eyre gives us the process in reverse. Part of the reason that Jane Eyre runs away from Rochester (really, the wife is just an excuse) is her inherent discomfort with his world. She doesn't like her new status. She doesn't like his "friends." She doesn't feel entirely comfortable with his wealth. He's kind of a clueless guy so when he starts showering her with jewelry after their engagement...well, that's just weird.

She returns to find him in a world that she is far more easy with: quiet, off-the-beaten path, surrounded by nature, a few actually nice friends to visit. 

A change in setting can lead to problems. It can also solve those problems.