48 pages • 1 hour read
Maybe Someday
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Pursuit of Independence
Hoover depicts the passionate pursuit of independence by modern women. Through Maggie and Sydney, Hoover presents a glimpse into the conflict between tradition and independence that young women face in today’s world. These characters have the ability to focus on self-discovery without the confines of marriage; they struggle to navigate their romantic relationships and remain committed to their pursuit of independence. Both women emerge at the novel’s conclusion as independent women who make empowered choices that align with their identities.
Prior to the discovery of his infidelity, Sydney feels restricted by Hunter’s desire to live a life of stability that follows the traditional trajectory of coupled life. Wary of growing too dependent on Hunter and not having the space to explore her own identity, Sydney resists Hunter’s plans and reminds herself of how her mother “raised [her] to be very independent and financially responsible” (161). She has an undeterred focus on independence, and pays for school without the support of her successful father. She follows her passion for music despite her father’s disapproval, and resists reaching out to her parents for assistance in the aftermath of her break-up with Hunter.
Even when confronted with her real and deep feelings for Ridge, Sydney continues to maintain her steadfast focus on independence and delays entering a relationship with Ridge immediately after his break-up with Maggie. Ultimately, the decision to pursue a relationship with Ridge is in Sydney’s hands. Unwilling to accept being second to Maggie in Ridge’s heart, Sydney withholds until she and Ridge both regard each other as equals in love.
As a foil to Sydney, Maggie has a similar but slightly varied path toward independence. Like Sydney, she too pursues autonomy with a passion and resists Ridge’s attempts to restrict her choices out of protection for her. Maggie does not let her illness and disability prevent her from pursuing self-actualization. Without fear, Maggie maintains commitment to her own path of self-discovery and does not allow her feelings for Ridge to hold her back. Unlike Sydney, Maggie does not end up in a committed relationship. Instead, she sets out on her own to find love that aligns with her identity as an empowered, independent woman. Hoover refers to Maggie throughout the novel as an example of “heroines [who] don’t need protecting” (362).
Through Maggie and Sydney, Hoover reveals the power of women pursuing their independence and forging a new path for themselves separate from any reliance on men.
Music as Emotional Expression
Sydney and Ridge’s shared passion for music forges a lasting connection between them. It provides them with a vehicle of emotional expression that transcends physical barriers that limit their communication. Through music, Sydney and Ridge find a way to express their complicated emotions and, ultimately, find their way back to one another. Using Sydney and Ridge’s relationship as an example, Hoover elaborates on the power of music to express deep emotion and unite people.
Before meeting, music connects Sydney and Ridge across their apartment courtyard. Unaware of Ridge’s deafness, Sydney feels drawn to Ridge’s musicianship and becomes inspired by his music to write lyrics. She notes how “there’s a confidence to him that I find compelling,” one that allows Ridge “to shut the world off ” (18). Sydney admires Ridge’s ability to express himself in his music and, through their relationship, learns to do this for herself.
Through the music she and Ridge write together, the two articulate the complicated emotions they have for each other. Together, they write “Maybe Someday,” the song which inspires the title of Hoover’s novel and communicates their hope to be together outside of the confines of Ridge’s dedication to Maggie and Sydney’s commitment to living independently. Remarking on the emotional expression in the lyrics, Sydney reflects on Ridge’s declaration “that lyrics have truth behind them, because they come from somewhere inside the person who wrote them” (185). “Maybe Someday” embodies the deep feelings Sydney and Ridge hold for each other and provides an outlet for their emotions.
Ultimately, it is music that draws Sydney and Ridge back together again at the novel’s conclusion. No longer plagued by writer’s block, Ridge now accesses his emotions freely due to his connection with Sydney. He writes multiple songs that convey his deep, unwavering affection for Sydney and plays his music in public for the first time in a long time. The emotional weight of his songs motivates Ridge to speak and perform publicly to declare his love for Sydney. Through his performance, Ridge not only communicates his feelings but witnesses Sydney’s reaction to his emotions. When Sydney expresses her desire to finally be with Ridge, they are reunited fully for the first time “without a trace of guilt or worry or regret or shame” (392).
Passion Versus Stability
As Ridge navigates his feelings for both Maggie and Sydney, Hoover emphasizes the struggle between passion versus stability. For Ridge, Maggie represents a familiar need to protect those he loves and the stability that he longed for in his childhood. Dedicated to protecting Maggie, Ridge confuses this protectiveness with passion. It is only when he meets Sydney that Ridge begins to understand the true meaning of passion; he becomes overwhelmed by his desire for Sydney and slowly begins to unravel.
The passion that Ridge first witnesses in Sydney emerges from her love of music. He observes her singing lyrics to the music from his guitar and feels drawn to her in a natural and undeniable way. As their musical bond grows, he comments on how “the passion and feelings that pour from her are so powerful I sometimes forget I can’t even hear her” (234). To Ridge, Maggie represents the passion he has for music; this serves as the foundation for their relationship, as creating music together unlocks a deeper connection between them.
Conversely, Hoover defines Ridge’s relationship with Maggie by his protection of her. When reflecting on his life with Maggie before Sydney, Ridge describes it as “a good world. A consistent world” that Sydney turns “upside down as if it were a fragile, breakable snow globe” (290). Despite the upheaval that Sydney’s arrival creates, Ridge realizes that the thought of returning to his former, stable life before Sydney is petrifying; he fears that he will “never again feel any of the things I felt during the little time she’s been in my world” (290). Through Sydney, Ridge is able to access deeper emotions than he has ever experienced, as exhibited by his ability to break through his writer’s block and find inspiration again.
In the end, Ridge’s commitment to protecting Maggie makes him oblivious to the ways he withholds himself from his own happiness. He continues to pursue a relationship with Maggie despite his intense feelings for Sydney. It is only when Maggie breaks up with him and confronts him about his all-consuming safeguarding of her that Ridge finally begins the process of pursuing a relationship with Sydney. Maggie confronts Ridge on the ways their “devotion to each other is tying us down. Keeping us both from really living” (325). She encourages Ridge to live life free from his dedication to her and to “realize you’re better off without me” (326). With Maggie’s permission and refusal to continue their relationship, Ridge begins to reflect on his desire to be Maggie’s hero and to recognize his and Sydney’s true emotional connection.
Unlock all 48 pages of this Study GuidePlus, gain access to 8,800+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
Related Titles
By Colleen Hoover
