Initially Joe constructs the impression that he lives in a well-ordered world in the opening chapter by revealing that he is in a happy and loving relationship with Clarissa. The world that is depicted is one where Joe is happy and fulfilled both personally and professionally. The airport scene from the opening chapter makes it clear that his relationship with Clarissa is blossoming and later on in the novel it is revealed his career, as a journalist is successful. Any notion of scientific theories and cynicism that he has been applying to other passengers disappear when he sees Clarissa to leave pure joy. The vivid and picturesque description of the beautiful picnic scene reinforces the view that he is content but this contrasts with the sombre and resigned tone of the balloon episode.
Joe’s description of events reveals that his life is clearly structured around science. In the aftermath of the balloon incident he analyses with explicit detail every move that occurs. He refers to the characters “being in a state of mathematical grace” during his account of the rescue attempt and uses Darwin’s theories to explain the meetings between friends and families at the airport. McEwan shows to us that this character adopts a rational and efficient approach to life even if he sometimes digresses onto abstract subjects such as the origins of man. The tragedy is described chronologically but he remains emotionally detached throughout. Joe also digresses onto subjects such as the origins of man in his story and this shows the reader that he is well educated and intelligent and encourages us to trust him. Therefore when he attempts to exonerate himself from any of the blame by saying he did not let go first, “I cannot accept it was me”, we are not suspicious that he may be incorrect.
The second chapter helps to show how reliant and utterly devoted he is to science when he refers to God as “some sort of impossible cartoon character” and also refuses to pray when asked by Jed Parry. Although not attempting to be offensive this can be interpreted a sign that he is single minded and somewhat blinkered in his attitude to life. McEwan has chosen to include these scenes to make the reader question the reliability of Joe as the narrator and also to persuade us that Joe is not as likeable a character as first thought. The first phone call from Jed that he later describes as “my first big mistake” reveals that he is somewhat overprotective of Clarissa and also that he is secretive. He dislikes asking for help and is this signifies that he is isolated and alone. Although this encourages us to sympathise with him we realise that he has chosen to do this on his own.
The library scene helps to shape our responses towards Joe by revealing that Joe is on bordering on paranoia and the stress of the calamity has affected his routine life. The reader sees that his desire to enter “genuine science work” instead of chronicling the work of others is a metaphor for the breakdown of his well-ordered world. He is clearly believes that his work is unfulfilling and this makes him feel insecure. In the early chapters the narrator is clear and precise in his choice of words but on this occasion he begins to ramble and this is the earliest sign of the breakdown of his organised life. Therefore when Joe says that he saw “a pair of white shoes, trainers with red laces” and instantaneously assumes that it is Jed we start to query his judgement. This makes us suspect his clarity of thought because instead of being rational he is impulsive, which is shown in the climax of the chapter as he runs out to confront the stranger.
In chapter nine we see events from the viewpoint of Clarissa and this helps to show how fanatical he is when he incessantly talks about the threat from Jed and wishing to get back into science. He becomes just as obsessed as Jed buying a gun for self-protection and even wishing that his stalker were run over by a car. His paranoia grows to the extent that he no longer trusts Clarissa and the breakdown in the relationship is mainly his fault for searching through her desk for letters. This means that we can no longer sympathise with his plight because he has violated Clarissa’s trust in his unsuccessful attempt to search for a reason why she is supporting Jed in their conflict in his opinion. After he has been exposed he expresses no regret and is defiant in the face of Clarissa’s anger and accuses her of plotting against him. This event is the effect of the collapse of Joe’s well-ordered world although we later learn through the appendixes their relationship does eventually endure.
McEwan as we near the end of the novel has gradually encouraged us to dislike Joe and question him even if he is eventually vindicated. This unease is subtly and gradually created throughout the novel but the construct of oppositions is the main method the author has chosen. The placing of main characters with contrasting ideologies such as the religious Jed or the Romantic Clarissa next to each blurs which view is correct. As the novel progresses letters from other character’s perspective make us view the description of previous events with cynicism. As all characters especially Joe are utterly consumed by their own views and unwilling to countenance those of others we begin to dislike his narrow-minded views.
McEwan shapes the reader’s responses and emotions to Joe with great skill. He gradually transforms our empathy and trust for him into dislike and suspicion through the actions and thoughts of Joe. The convictions of the other characters beliefs and his inability to accept that the other viewpoints may hold a semblance of truth makes us doubt his reliability and truthfulness as a narrator and character.
