Is Tadpole's Promise a clever allegory?

[allhailtheaubergine]

I love this story.

I love it at face value.

But I also feel the meaning of the story should be up for discussion by earnest A-level students.

I don't know the story, can you give us a summary?

Oh, I assumed most people would know it.

Summery here.

Bugger. I was really looking forward to discussing this and no one gives a crap!

Surely people know this book?

Yes, I know it. I didn't like it though. Didn't like the ending, too sad.

What makes you think that it's a clever allegory? What did you interpret its meaning as? That people change within a relationship? That people in relationships end up hurt?