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

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

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  • Word count: 1077
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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