The Other Side of the Bride Essay. The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson is a book that depicts two different people, which primarily focuses on jealousy, rivalry and the power of obsession over half a century. There are many characters in the novel and they establish relationships with each other that eventually become intertwined. The relationships that develop end up having an effect on the character and contributing something different to his understanding of himself and the decisions he makes. Ian in the novel is an example of this, where the relationships he builds with others help him find who he is as a person and affect the decisions he makes. Specifically, through relationships with Pete, his father, and Jake, he gains something different from each character, which proves vital to who he is. Without these characters, Ian would be very different, as each character contributed to Ian's ultimate understanding of himself. The relationships Ian builds shape his understanding of himself and affect the decisions he makes and one of the most important relationships Ian builds. Helping him achieve what he loves is his best friend, Pete. Pete has been Ian's best friend since their father took them fishing together, the event of fishing occurs constantly throughout the novel. Ian realizes that he loves fishing thanks to Pete and that it is one of his most enjoyed activities in Struan, even before he decided what he wanted to do with his life. “In fact, for Ian, it didn't matter where, why or how they fished. He was in love with fishing, not to mention the fact that he only fished for snags and bluegills... You could think, during those long periods of time - or better yet, you couldn't think. Although I...... middle of paper ...... relationship with other residents of the town of Struan. His relationships help him understand himself and affect the decisions he makes for the future. People like Pete, his father, and Jake all play a role in understanding different things about himself. With Pete, Ian understands the beauty that the town of Struan has to offer and what he loves. In his decision to live in Struan, his father helps him understand his profession as he grows up and becomes what his father expects of him. being, while with Jake, he understands the attachment he had with Struan, of the town to the importance of the work of town doctor. Therefore, if Ian had not had relationships with these people, Ian would be a completely different person than he is now in the book because each of them brings something very important to Ian...