Enduring Love- Theme of Conflict

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Enduring Love- Theme of Conflict

Conflict is defined as a struggle and a clash between characters when we think of it as a theme in Enduring Love. Ian McEwan especially manipulates it to contrast between diametrical characters and subjects.

There is a conflict between the 3 major themes of the story: Science, art and religion. All the themes attempt to answer the question about love which so much is the majority of the relationship between Clarissa, Joe and Jed as a love triangle. The question is who is right? What is love?

We are drawn into perspective of the establishment of Joe and Jed when they first meet each other: “rushing towards each other like lovers.” At the same time there is a connection between them and a conflicting repellence. Perhaps Joe imagined this when he says: “I was another man, my own sexual competitor.”

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In the balloon accident when Joe had attempted the rescue but failed there is much argument between the characters of who let go of the rope. Perhaps Joe had his own selfish desire to become a hero and there is conflict between them as to who will be successful: “I knew that if I had been the uncontested leader.”

Science and Religion Conflict

Jed’s views of God disapprove Joe’s own rational logic and uses the power of love to emphasise their relationship: “Reading you all night has strengthened me. That’s what God’s love does.”

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