The narrator of the story “The Only Meaning of Water Wet with Oil” by Dave Eggers illustrates how people impose themselves on others and/or things when it is easier to just give up. Throughout the story, the contradictions between strength and abandonment reveal how sometimes we have to let go. An obsessive forced relationship compared to a healthy relationship. Trying to fit in instead of accepting yourself and your abilities. Wants and wants versus needs and necessities. Let things take their course rather than imposing them on yourself and others. Most human beings who enjoy seeking dominance and strength over others do so in order to feel superior or even more likely to hide their insecurities. But letting go can also be positive. It is wise to accept contradictions and allow them to overcome you. In “The Only Meaning of Water Wet with Oil,” the narrator emphatically declares that “this story is not about Pilar and Hand falling in love,” but the story is indeed a love story (31 ). Pilar “knew, when she hung up with Hand five weeks before, that she would sleep with him in Alta” (30). Pilar only saw a relationship as just sexual intercourse and she doesn't know what a meaningful relationship is; she will never know until she finds herself and what she really wants in life. When the moment finally came, Pilar, without hesitation, "lay on top of him, placed her ear against his sternum... [their] ankles intertwined and said things such as 'I want to get on his back and ride him like a horse.” mule” (41)(34). Obviously the story has a lot to do with making love and forcing the relationship to go the way she wants instead of letting it go at its own pace. In the end, Pilar realizes that she is giving in to a relationship and gives...... middle of paper ......iate God more and respect his authority. She finally gives in to what life is and takes it for what it is. We always say things like, “Why isn’t that enough to make me happy?” ” or “shouldn’t I live my life to the fullest without regrets”? But we always take things and people for granted. We don't realize or recognize the importance of being grateful and reflecting on who we are as human beings. We control certain people and force them to do what we want without realizing that sometimes what we want is not what we need and is not that important to our lives. Sometimes we need to let go and accept things as they are and people as they are. What right do we have to force or change people? None! Life is about learning and experiencing new things, letting go of the past, mistakes, unwanted memories and embracing a new beginning..