The baby in “The Way We Were” was never born because Katie and Hubbell, the main characters, decided to have an abortion.
In the film “The Way We Were,” starring Barbra Streisand as Katie Morosky and Robert Redford as Hubbell Gardiner, the couple faces various challenges due to their differing political views and life goals. Katie, who is deeply political and committed to her causes, and Hubbell, who is more laid-back and aspires to be a writer, fall in love despite their differences.
As their relationship progresses, Katie becomes pregnant. However, the couple’s conflicting ideologies and life paths lead to tension and disagreement about their future together. They ultimately decide that they are not ready to bring a child into their tumultuous relationship and opt for an abortion. This decision is reflective of the broader themes in the movie, such as the struggle between personal desires and societal expectations, as well as the complexities of love and commitment.
The film, set against the backdrop of the Hollywood blacklist and the McCarthy era, explores the personal and political conflicts that arise in Katie and Hubbell’s relationship. Their decision regarding the pregnancy is one of the many difficult choices they face as they navigate their love for each other and their individual beliefs and aspirations. The baby’s fate is a poignant element of the story, symbolizing the sacrifices and compromises the characters make in their pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.