61 pages • 2 hours read
The Dixon Rule
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Symbols & Motifs
The Dance Competition
The dance competition is an important symbol in the novel, reflecting the nature of Shane and Diana’s relationship. While their relationship is initially mildly antagonistic, with both feeling dismissive of the other, their growing attraction soon enables them to see new aspects of one another. In learning how to be good partners to one another, Shane and Diana learn how to work together in tandem, just as dancing together involves teamwork and careful coordination.
Shane originally agrees to participate in the competition to make Lynsey jealous, while Diana remains skeptical of Shane as a romantic prospect. Their doubts and conflicting motivations gradually lessen the more they dance together, with their growing confidence as dance partners reflecting their deepening connection even away from the dance floor. In being willing to dance with Diana the way he never did with Lynsey, Shane also demonstrates the connection and confidence he feels with her, reinforcing the idea that Diana and Shane are a better match. By the time they officially compete, Shane realizes that he enjoys dancing with Diana for the sake of their relationship, not in the hope of rekindling his old one.
Arguing
Arguing is the backbone of Diana and Shane’s relationship and serves as a motif for the theme Finding Empowerment in Relationships. Unlike their past relationships with Lynsey and Percy, where they were expected to diminish or alter parts of themselves to fit their partners’ expectations, their arguments reflect a healthier dynamic rooted in mutual respect and appreciation for who they truly are.
From the start, Diana and Shane engage in frequent bickering, which initially appears combative but quickly reveals itself to be playful and stimulating. Their arguments become a way for both characters to challenge and engage each other on an equal footing. This is a stark contrast to Diana’s relationship with Percy, where disagreements often stemmed from his need to control her. Percy’s attempts to change Diana left her feeling stifled and undervalued.
In contrast, Shane’s relationship with Lynsey contained no arguments at all. While this is generally considered a good thing, in their case it hinted at how the relationship lacked humor, vulnerability, and deep emotional investment. When Lynsey first meets Diana, she later says to Shane: “[S]he totally bosses you around. During our entire relationship, I don’t think I heard you argue with me about anything. Meanwhile, the entire night I was at your place, you two were bickering about something. That’s not healthy” (182). However, Shane insists that the arguing is not based in conflict, but good-natured banter that stimulates him rather than deflates him.
Ultimately, the motif of arguing in Diana and Shane’s relationship underscores the importance of a partnership that allows for individuality and mutual empowerment. Through their disagreements, they find strength not in avoiding conflict, but in embracing it as a means of fostering honesty, understanding, and growth.
Fling or Forever
Fling or Forever is a reality dating show which symbolizes key aspects of Diana and Shane’s relationship, playing into the comedic element of many romance novels and movies by adding a layer of irony to the plot.
Early in the novel, when Diana still feels pressured to remain friendly with Percy, he shows up while she is watching an episode of Fling or Forever. Although he grudgingly agrees to watch it with her, Diana knows that Percy despises her taste in television shows and is only watching it with her for the sake of getting to spend time with her again. Percy’s contemptuous attitude toward Diana’s interest in Fling or Forever therefore reflects his more general need to control and diminish her.
By contrast, Shane shows an unfeigned interest in the show. His connection with Diana initially begins to warm when they start watching the show’s episodes together and engage in lighthearted discussions about the couples on the program. The show’s title, with its juxtaposition of a short-term casual affair (a “fling”) or a lasting romantic commitment (“forever”) also mirrors the situation Shane and Diana face as their attraction to one another deepens. Their movement from being friends-with-benefits to being committed partners mirrors how, ultimately, they move from being a “fling” to being “forever” in their own lives.
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By Elle Kennedy
