Evidence of the Affair

Evidence of the Affair presents infidelity not only as a breach of trust but as a destabilizing force. Reid illustrates how the discovery of deceit can destroy a marriage, disrupt personal identity, and challenge what individuals believe about the people they love. Their spouses’ betrayal causes Carrie and David to reassess almost every aspect of their lives.

Carrie and David’s correspondence captures the intense psychological pain of discovering a spouse’s infidelity. Their letters convey their distress at discovering that a spouse has shared the most intimate aspects of themselves with another person. Carrie and David also embody how betrayal often causes insecurity and misplaced self-blame. They believe that they are at least partially responsible for their partners’ actions, with Carrie blaming her inability to conceive and David berating his decreased sexual desire for Janet. The affair also disrupts their perception that their marriages were based on security and shared ideals. When Carrie and David read the love letters between Janet and Ken, they realize that their spouses’ views on marriage differ significantly from their own. Thus, the narrative emphasizes how two people can experience the same marriage in entirely different ways.