private static void Example1() { // first we allocate some objects. the second object we create // depends on the first. the second object is going to hook onto // the event exposed by the first object. Console.WriteLine("Creating instances..."); var objectWithEvent = new ObjectWithEvent(); var objectThatHooksEvent = new ObjectThatHooksEvent(objectWithEvent); // we'll set the instance to null and call the GC, but since we // have an event still hooked up to the first object, no objects // will get finalized yet. Console.WriteLine(); Console.WriteLine("Setting the object that hooks the event to null and calling garbage collector..."); objectThatHooksEvent = null; GC.Collect(); Console.WriteLine("Nothing magical?"); // let's try unhooking the event now and calling the gc. we should // finally be able to get rid of our second object Console.WriteLine(); Console.WriteLine("Press enter and I'll unhook the events for you and call the garbage collector again."); Console.ReadLine(); objectWithEvent.UnhookAll(); GC.Collect(); // now that we've ditched the second object, we can safely get rid // of the first one! Console.WriteLine("Neat-o, eh? Press enter and I'll set the object with the event to null and call the garbage collector one last time."); Console.ReadLine(); objectWithEvent = null; GC.Collect(); Console.WriteLine("And presto! Both are gone."); }