Several types of love and relationships figure significantly in T. S. Eliot’s play, including self-love, romantic and sexual associations, friendship, and the love of God or spiritual connections.

The characters’ differing realizations of the changing importance of these feelings in their lives form an important part of the play’s development. Eliot also implies that the influence of friends and even psychiatric treatment may sometimes be needed to help people understand themselves and others. Notably, a married couple, Edward and Lavinia Chamberlayne, had separated and then reunite. Lavinia’s decision to return to her husband is dependent on her new belief that she is lovable. Celia Copplestone, who had an affair with Edward, finds a deeper love for Christ and becomes a missionary.

The playwright does not suggest, however, that love always brings perfect solutions. Peter Quilpe is also romantically involved with both Lavinia and Celia, but ultimately does not stay in either relationship. He and Celia similarly decide to move away, but their lives turn out differently. Despite finding her true self in Christian service, Celia is killed while carrying out her duty.