What are our impressions of the narrator in the opening section of

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What are our impressions of the narrator in the opening section of "Enduring Love."

In the section of "Enduring Love," by Ian McEwan, our impressions of the narrator are formed by the use of language that he employs and the emphasis he places on his own actions and thoughts as well as those of Clarissa. I will show by analyzing his observations and attitudes as they arise in the passage.

Our initial impression on reading through the passage is that the narrator is speaking as though he is giving evidence to a court. He is using language that is often pompous and sometimes judgmental; this is mostly directed against Clarissa.

The passage opens with a rhetorical question; "What was Clarissa doing?" This question is automatically accusing and straight away gives a negative impression of the narrator. He then continues by writing; "She said she walked quickly towards the center of the field." This sentence is again accusing the "She said," particularly making it sound as though the narrator is in some doubt as to whether what Clarissa says is true. This gives us the impression that he readily doubts those he is supposedly close to.