High Fidelity: Chapters 22-26

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?

During these chapters, we find out more about Rob. We, as readers, learn that Rob has another reason why his relationships are so short. It is because he has a fear/phobia of death/dying. I have always wondered why Rob thinks of relationships as a necessity and then he keeps breaking up with all these women. I just thought that Rob was a very confusing character. But, after reading about Rob's fears of death, I could understand why his relationships end so quickly. Death is a painful thing, whether you are the person dying or the people that were close to the person that died. So, in Rob's mind, if he distances himself from the people he cares about, the more likely he will feel less pain or possibly no pain at all for them if they die. So, Rob's fear of death plays a huge role in his infidelity. Personally, I think Rob is making up another excuse so that he can sleep with all the women in England. The only way I would think that his fear of death and loses the ones he loves as a legitimate reason is if he didn't try to contact all of his ex-girlfriends. Why would you try to get back in contact with the women you broke up with and see how they're doing if you fear that you would get to close to them and feel bad if they die??? I don't understand Rob. He kind of fails at life. Anyways, I thought it was understandable why Rob responded the way he did to Laura's fathers death because Rob didn't know Laura's father all that well. Also, you could blame Laura a little because she forgot to mention to her father that Rob and Laura broke up. So, Laura's dad died thinking that Laura and Rob were still a couple. All in all, Rob is very confusing. He keeps adding on more excuses to make his life even more miserable. Rob Fails!!!