In Harvey FiersteinÆs ôOn Tidy Endings,ö a gay man Collin has died of AIDS and his ex-wife, Marion, and gay partner, Arthur, must come to terms with the death and each other. In doing so, Fierstein demonstrates that whether homosexual or heterosexual, genuine love makes all relationships legitimate.
When Marion and Arthur first meet, it is MarionÆs intention to collect certain items of CollinÆs from ArthurÆs possession. We see in this initial encounter, Marion undermines the legitimacy of ArthurÆs relationship with Collin, insinuating that because it was a homosexual relationship it was not one that ômatteredö as much as her heterosexual relationship. We see this when she informs Arthur she wanted just ôsillyö things of CollinÆs, ôLike his high school yearbooks. What would you want with them?ö (Fierstein, p. 1209). Marion cannot understand that Arthur might cherish CollinÆs young life memories as much as she might. This undermines the legitimacy of the same-sex relationship.
Later in the drama, we see that Arthur tries to firmly legitimize his love for and relationship with Collin in the way he castigates Marion about acting like CollinÆs sudden death represents her ôlosing himö on the same level it does for him. As he tells her, ôYou didnÆt just lose him. I did! You lost him five years ago when he divorced you. This is not your moment of grief and loss, itÆs mine!ö (Fierstein, p. 1214). Arthur is legitimating his relationship with Collin by undermining any legitimacy Marion might still feel years after her relationship ended.
As the two begin to gain a sense of understanding of each other and come to better terms over CollinÆs death, Marion and Arthur are able to come closer and legitimize the relationship they both shared with Collin, as different as those relationships may have been. When Arthur tells Marion what he really wants in life, she truly unde
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