Student Question
In "The Kugelmass Episode," does Daphne suspect her husband's affair? Why doesn't he divorce her?
Quick answer:
Daphne does question Kugelmass about his whereabouts, hinting at suspicion, but she doesn't genuinely suspect an affair. They are portrayed as complacent and accustomed to each other, making her believe his excuses. Kugelmass doesn't divorce her because he fears the financial repercussions, as he's already paying alimony and child support to his first wife, and another divorce would be too costly.
Daphne does ask Kugelmass where he goes all the time and whether he has a "chippie stashed somewhere." However, I don't think she really suspects him of having an affair. He describes them as moping around the house "like two pieces of old furniture." They're so used to each other that she believes all the stories he tells her. Besides, he says at the beginning of the story that she's an oaf.
He won't divorce her because he knows she'll "take him to the cleaners." He can't afford another divorce, since he's paying alimony and child support to his first wife.
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