Barefoot in the Park by Neil Simon portrays and analyzes, although through comedy, the complex dynamics and issues in romantic relationship. The play examines the misunderstandings and miscommunication that often occur in serious romantic relationships, especially in marriages.

The main characters—a young couple recently married—personify the common issues in a marriage. The wife tries her best to make their relationship romantic and interesting, whilst the husband is distant and predictable. The wife exerts effort into making the marriage work, whilst the husband would rather focus on his career aspirations.

In the second act, the tension and various conflicts between them leads to divorce. In the third act, the warring ex-lovers still fight over post-marriage matters, which are trivial and petty.

This illustrates the modern American marriage in which the male and female build a relationship on compromises and sacrifices. If viewed as an analogy, the modern American marriage dynamic is similar to a business transaction in which services or goods are traded, debts are tallied, and credit is analyzed.

On the other spectrum, Corie's mother falls in love with Victor Velasco, a man who is the opposite of Paul: adventurous and romantic. In the end, Paul proves to Corie that he is not the man she first thought by walking barefoot through a snow-covered park, and the two reunite and fall in love again.

This illustrates that relationships are based on how we project our ideals and illusions of a perfect relationship on to the partner. Ethel falls in love with Victor, because he is her image of a wonderful partner. On the other end, Corie fell out of love with Paul, because he did not meet her expectations or image of a wonderful partner.