Analyse the breakdown of the relationship between Joe and Clarissa in Enduring Love by Ian McEwan.

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Analyse the breakdown of the relationship between Joe and Clarissa in Enduring Love by Ian McEwan

The breakdown of the relationship between Joe and Clarissa stems from the balloon accident. Whether it be the trauma that follows, the subtle hints of knowing that nothing can be the same having gone through what they have together or be it that Parry brings about troubles throughout the entire the novel.

‘I know I made my first serious mistake when I turned on my side and said to her “it was nothing. Wrong number. Go to sleep.”’

This is the very first time we see that the relationship is not how it should be. It’s extremely different to the impression we as the reader were given at the beginning of the novel during the tranquil, loving walk though beech woods in the Chiltern Hills where Joe and Clarissa seem deeply in love. This quote does not doubt this fact – it does begin to put a new spin on things though.

But why does Joe not tell Clarissa about the phone call? There are several reasons why this may be, but looking at Joes character – quite a straight laced, level headed person – it is more likely that Joe was embarrassed by what was said during the call as it is not your everyday occurrence that a strange man calls to tell you that he loves you in the early hours of the morning. It is probable that Joe also feels that he has indirectly been unfaithful to Clarissa as the phone call was directed at him and so it is possible Joe is feeling guilty.

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‘I took the broad red-carpeted stairs two at a time, swung myself on the newel post, round the half landing, took the final flight in three strides and burst into the clerkly’. Joe having thought that it was Parry on the phone the night before, now continues it further by following up what he thought he saw in the library. This could end up being extremely detrimental to Clarissa and Joe’s relationship if he continues to follow up every little suspicion that Parry is there instead of ignoring it. But even Joe has suggested that he may be imagining ...

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This essay demonstrates a clear understanding of the relationship and how it deteriorates throughout the story; however what is missing is the full explanation of why the relationship goes downhill and how McEwan presents this in an effective and moving way in the novel. 4 Stars