How does Ian McEwan create an effective opening in "Enduring Love"?

Secondly, McEwan’s use of visual imagery creates effect in the opening scene as it gives the reader more than just words but a visual setting where everything takes place. “…Partly protected from a strong, gusty wind,” indicates that something else, that the reader is unaware of due to McEwan intentionally holding back vivid descriptions, is about to happen. By describing this unstable, blustery weather, McEwan sets a powerful scene. We later find out that the forceful weather is a constant feature that symbolises the danger that lies ahead. McEwan is deliberately vague and holds back vital descriptions that the reader desperately wants to read which creates anticipation but he however describes irrelevant objects with intricate detail, almost as a distraction, to fill the readers mind with a visual image which sets the scene. “I’m holding back, delaying the information.” This short sentence feeds the reader with what McEwan is actually doing; he is ‘copying’ the characters actions, “holding back” information from us. I feel this is an effective technique within the opening because we feel more involved the characters and the story if we can visualise it and also with McEwan holding back information puts us in the dark most of the time other than when we know exactly what is happening which gives us a feeling of apprehension.

In addition, McEwan uses metaphors and personification to add effect to the opening. He presents the scenario with a slight juxtaposition and the reader is never fully sure of how to view the accident due to McEwan’s metaphors. He describes the balloon accident as both a “pinprick on the time map” and as a “furnace”. This can come across as if the main character, Joe Rose, is almost confused himself because he cannot create a solid description of how he feels and how he describes the accident. This technique makes us feel uneasy and anxious because we’re not sure what our take is on the accident because McEwan’s character isn’t sure either. “The wind that roared” is an example of personification that McEwan used to describe the weather, which we have learned already plays a significant part in the novel. By using the word ‘roared’ portrays the image of a lion or tiger which is often conveyed as a powerful and strong animal. I feel this is also use of pathetic fallacy because the wind proves to be powerful and strong throughout chapter one because that is the cause of the hot air balloon lifting upwards again. This severely changes the atmosphere of the novel as McEwan begins using negative language. This foreshadows that something terrible is about to happen, i.e. the hot air balloon will rise again.

In conclusion, McEwan uses a wide, varied range of techniques to add effect in the opening of ‘Enduring Love’. I have analysed only a few of the techniques that he has used to entice the reader and make the opening effective however there are plenty more. The reader needs to feel involved within the story and has to be able to empathise with the characters, and I feel that McEwan has done that very well.