In version B, the narrator presents a gender normative relationship between John and Mary – one in which Mary's only goals are to please John, who notably takes advantage of her. Secondary to the theme of the writing process is one that appears frequently in Atwood's work: sex and gender. Plots can vary, but a story composed only of plot is boring a good writer will make the plot meaningful by communicating how the events unfold and why the reader should care. This structure is deliberate, as it highlights the narrator's concluding thoughts in part F. Readers will likely notice that each version of the characters' lives is dominated by a straightforward recounting of events there is little if any interiority for the characters and the tone of the narrator throughout every version is monotonous and deadpan. That the story is organized into six different versions showcases the author's interest in dramatizing how one creates memorable characters, compelling plot points, and ultimately a good story. The central theme of ' Happy Endings' is the process of writing, specifically the process of writing fiction.
