‘a 1987 Daumas Gassac.’
Showing his wealth and class giving indications of a comfortable lifestyle, the precision of the descriptive language gives insight into his personality as a well ordered man. Although McEwan makes references to the fact that the novel and the characters are merely constructs he still manages to create a intimacy between the reader and Joe by inviting them into his world thus making the changes that effect Joe have a stronger impact on the reader as they are involved.
The well-ordered world becomes apparent to the reader in the first chapter through to the imagery of a perfect picnic but also describing the characters perfect jobs and relationship. Therefore, as the physical element of the perfect picnic is destroyed by the balloon incident, the perfect job and relationship (well-ordered world) are to be destroyed by the aftermath of the incident (Joes relationship with Jed) as the two plots parallel and intertwine with each other. Therefore, the reader’s responses to the incident influence their responses to the disintegration of his relationship with Clarissa. The pattern in the change in responses during the first few chapters to the balloon incident mirrors the changes in responses that will occur during the exploration of the Joe and Jed plot. As the balloon goes out of control and then calms again thus is a circular plot so is the plot of Joe and Clarissa relationship ends how it began with the picnic (well ordered world).
Part of this concept of the well-ordered world is also reflected through the order in Joe’s personality, which is presented to the reader through McEwans language used in Joe’s narration quotations such as
'Reassuring clarity' and 'we were in a state of mathematical grace.'
Conveys aspects of Joes character not just the factors of his life (wealth and good education) it illustrates his personality to the reader how he is happiest when he has a good comprehension of his surroundings. He is reassured by his knowledge, as the chaos Jed brings him later in the novel takes away his logic thought and knowledge, consequently his personality and approach as a narrator changes (becoming more questionable of himself and over analytical) with a more desperate tone. Thus evoking a change in the reader’s mood as they feel his desperation through the text. As Joes state of mind becomes more scattered so does the structure of the novel McEwan does this as the change in pace between chapters becomes apparent to the more analytical reader there responses also change.
McEwans use of imagery in the novel is a very effective way of shaping the readers view. In particular the imagery, metaphor, of contamination is very effective at helping the reader understand and respond towards Joes character as McEwan uses this imagery via Joes narration therefore the reader connects the feelings the imagery creates within them with Joes feelings.
‘The unease was on my skin and beyond. It was like the sensation of not having washed.’
‘but looking at me as though I were contaminated, the bearer into his office of a freshly mutated virus of ill-fortune.’
These descriptions of contamination contradicts he’s pattern of rationalizing and logical thought, shows the reader that the emotions he’s feeling are so strong that he can’t even comfort himself by explaining them to him. The constant repetition of this imagery shows the reader that this is a feeling that Joe cannot shake but gets frustrated trying to explain and justify without success thus creating a sympathetic response in the reader.
As chapter one and part of two set the scene of Joes well ordered world chapter three cites that this well ordered world cannot be returned to him and he will not be able to get back to his old life style easily. An extract from the first paragraph indicates this as Joe almost feels like he is being disrespectful to Logan’s death by going back to his routine in his well-ordered world;
‘By six that evening we were back home, in our kitchen, and everything looked the same’
‘The unalterd array of my breakfast coffee cup and newspapers seemed blasphemous.’
The well-ordered part of the well-ordered world is also reflected in Joe’s ordered and scientific personality. McEwans (Joes) overuse of scientific knowledge triggers responses in the reader as it can be somewhat annoying for a reader with limited knowledge of science. As although they can appreciate it is Joe’s way of coping the extracts of scientific knowledge are overly long and have no direct link to the plot and a very indirect link to Joes state of mind at that point in time. Nevertheless, from further study of this it has become apparent that McEwan does this deliberately to insert his own views and to subtly give the reader more understanding of the themes of the novel, more understanding of the other characters (more apparent to the reader why Clarissa gets frustrated with Joe as the reader does). For example in chapter four Joes recollection of the Hubble telescope incident is McEwans way of reminding the reader of human error, memory and perception important factors that arise in the characters throughout the novel. The scientific recall is also important as the amount of these scientific explorations decreases throughout the novel as the Clarissas suspicion of Joe’s obsession (madness) about Jed increases thus creating doubtful responses in the reader about Joe’s sanity.
