Part I Section One Summary (page 1-13,
Part I Section One Summary (page 1-13, "Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy...were all her fault."): Clarissa Dalloway took it upon herself to buy the flowers for the party that evening. Lucy had so much other work to do and the morning air was fresh and inviting. Air like this always reminded her of a morning when, at eighteen, she had burst open the French windows to the terrace. Peter Walsh stood within and commented on vegetables. He still wrote to Clarissa, very boring letters, and would be returning from India someday. Waiting on the curb, Scrope Purvis noticed her, thinking to himself that she was charming. Clarissa thought of the hush that fell over Westminster right before the ring of Big Ben. As the bell rang out, she looked at the people around her, living in the moment, and loved life. It was June and the Great War was over. Life sprang out all around her with a passion, dancing girls and ponies and shopkeepers in their windows. Clarissa was a part of it. Entering the park, she was met with a deeper silence. Hugh Whitbread, an old friend, walked toward her. He assured her that he would attend the party even though his wife, Evelyn, was ill. The Whitbreads always came to London to see doctors. Though she adored him, Hugh had a way of making Clarissa feel underdressed. Richard, her husband, could not stand Hugh and Peter had hated him. But Peter could be like that.
In what ways has Cunningham illuminated 'Mrs. Dalloway' in "The Hours"?
In what ways has Cunningham illuminated 'Mrs. Dalloway'? "We are creatures who repeat ourselves, we are humans, and if we refuse to embrace repetition - if we balk at art that seeks to praise its textures and rhythms, its endlessly subtle variations - we ignore much of what is meant by life itself." This was Michael Cunningham's view on life and indeed, it is a perspective that seeps into 'The Hours' which can be seen as a repetition of 'Mrs. Dalloway.' People are creatures who very often repeat themselves - in their behaviour and in their thoughts and beliefs. Cunningham shows this to us by making his characters mirror Virginia Woolf's characters in 'Mrs. Dalloway'. Repetition is a natural action, which humans carry out sometimes to clarify their thoughts and illuminate the thoughts and ideas of others. This is manifested in 'The Hours' through the Woolfian characters like Clarissa Vaughn and Richard, who repeat the patterns of behaviours such as exploring relationships with the same sex and the patterns of thoughts such as regrets - of those characters in 'Mrs. Dalloway'. In 'The Hours', Cunningham presents to us three separate yet interdependent stories about three women: Virginia Woolf, Laura Brown, and Clarissa Vaughn. Each woman has her own story within her section of the book. Taking into account the presence of the Laura section of the novel, the main function of
"McEwan uses a variety of writing genre in the novel 'Enduring Love'. This mix of genre is one of the most significant and interesting features if 'Enduring Love'. By close reference to the text, explore the range and effectiveness of this mix."
Laura Cullingworth 30/10/01 "McEwan uses a variety of writing genre in the novel 'Enduring Love'. This mix of genre is one of the most significant and interesting features if 'Enduring Love'. By close reference to the text, explore the range and effectiveness of this mix." In 'Enduring Love' the most prominent genres are love, thriller and the detective genre. We all have expectations from these very different genres, all of these being fulfilled by McEwan. We are captivated by Joe's love for Clarissa, Jed's love for Joe and the development of these characters as the plot unfolds. We are intrigued by the detective antics of these three main characters and gripped by the action packed plot. The structure of 'Enduring Love' is very much like that of a detective novel; starting off with the main incident of the plot, or the starting incident and then unfolding and developing in stages throughout the story, and resulting in a more or less stable conclusion. The book is logically written in a linear format in order to enable the reader to follow the plot. The setting, particularly where the balloon incident occurs, is typical of a detective novel. The setting is very idyllic, where "each leaf seemed to glow with an eternal light". This indicates tranquillity and peacefulness; therefore making the thought of it being a spot for someone to be killed even more surprising.
Time is a major theme in Ian McEwan's 'The Child In Time'.
English coursework - The Child In Time "Time....is always susceptible to human interpretation. And though time is partly a human fabrication, it is also that from which no parent or child is immune." Time is a major theme in Ian McEwan's 'The Child In Time'. He treats the subject irreverently, 'debunking chronology by the nonlinearity of his narrative.' - Michael Byrne. McEwan uses the setting of Stephen's dull committee as the backdrop for his daydreaming. Even Stephen's thoughts are not choronological, and his daydreams constantly flit between different times, although this could be to emphasise the overall flexibility of time. At first sight, it seems that the loss of Kate will be the central event, but McEwan strays through a wide spectrum of events, including the central one, Stephen's encounter at 'The Bell', to try and explain his feelings. The scene at The Bell also refers to a vivid dream McEwan had, where he walked towards a pub knowing he would find the meaning of his life, knowing he would be terrified, but also needing to go on. This is the most important event in the book, and the most difficult to interpret in terms of the behaviour of time. The book does not even begin with the loss of Kate, as you would expect, but Stephen on a normal morning. He relates everything he sees to time, the passing of which is even more important to him than anything else.
Enduring Love - by Ian McKewen - Discuss the changing relationship between Clarissa and Joe.
Enduring Love - by Ian McKewen Discuss the changing relationship between Clarissa and Joe. The relationship between Clarissa and Joe changes throughout the story. The only sorrow at first is the fact that Clarissa couldn't have children, but despite this they still had a steady, satisfying relationship and were very happy, contented and loving. After the balloon incident and Joe learns of Jed's obsession, and in turn becomes obsessed himself, the relationship between Clarissa and him deteriorates. Slowly at first but then rapidly until they no longer live as lovers, but more so as a matter of having to. Trust and communication breaks down and eventually Clarissa moves out. However there is still love between them, and once the truth is discovered they learn there is still a chance to work at their relationship to piece things together again. From the very beginning in chapter one it starts with Joe talking about Clarissa, giving the impression of their relationship as he talks of a romantic picnic alone together that he had thoughtfully prepared. On page three Joe states: "Even without the balloon the day would have been marked for memory, through the most pleasurable of ways, for this was a reuniting after a separation of six weeks, the longest Clarissa and I had spent apart in our seven years" This gives you the idea that he is excited to see her and they are in a
Enduring Love includes one of the most celebrated fictional catastrophes in contemporary British fiction. The ballooning accident which opens the novel is pacey, tense and intelligently told.
Enduring Love includes one of the most celebrated fictional catastrophes in contemporary British fiction. The ballooning accident which opens the novel is pacey, tense and intelligently told. A man dies horribly and his death, and dead body are described with the customary McEwan taste for horror amidst the everyday. However, McEwan is not an author who wishes to shock and then, once the effect has worn off, shock us again. He takes this initial event and weaves more challenging material from its intensity. For here our hero discovers that he has a secret gay admirer who doesn't like to keep his admiring that secret. McEwan explores the repercussions of catastrophe. How people deal with the afterwards, the aftermath. So we have a tale of stalking, a tale with gender implications. For, rather like a tale of male rape, having a male victim at least makes one half of the population feel more vulnerable than they otherwise might. McEwan, in his more mature work has sought to write about issues that have undoubted contemporary relevance, issues we read about in today's newspapers. So, in The Child in Time, he treats the subject of child abduction; in Black Dogs it's the fall of the Berlin Wall and in Enduring Love stalking. But where the newspapers will concentrate on grief and revolution while it still sells McEwan explores the causes and the coming to terms with the event that
"Enduring Love gracefully bridges genres; it's a psychological thriller, a meditation on the narrative impulse, a novel of ideas." With close reference to the text, explore McEwan's use of key features and conventions of different genres of writing.
"Enduring Love gracefully bridges genres; it's a psychological thriller, a meditation on the narrative impulse, a novel of ideas." With close reference to the text, explore McEwan's use of key features and conventions of different genres of writing. What impact does this have on the reader? Enduring Love contains many generic conventions that do all appear to slide into one another, to make an altogether un-conventional story. I am going to explore these genres and types of writing in the book, in order to extract their key features and conventions and gain a better understanding into what grips the reader whilst reading the novel. Although not immediately obvious, Enduring Love has many generic conventions from the detective and crime genres. We have our first glimpse of some kind of detective story when Joe first calls the police, in chapter eight. This appears to subside, (although it is mentioned more than three times; there is no contact with the police), until we reach chapter eighteen. Here Joe actually goes to the police station and we have the convention of a police interview. The policeman himself is a conventional character-he has a 'large round face', and seems quite disinterested in Joe's complaint. The police station is described as a worn down, fairly lazy place, with 'friction, and a great deal of general wear and tear'. This fits the convention of a worn
What is the significance of science in Enduring Love?
What is the significance of science in Enduring Love? Science is a significant theme in Enduring love. It is shown in aspects of Joe's private thoughts; his discussions with Clarissa; in explaining behaviour; Jed's letters to Joe; and the appendix. Science contributes to character development, exploration of ideas, and the plot. It affects Joe, and others by their relationship with him. As Joe is the narrator of Enduring Love, the reader is introduced solely to his private thoughts. His thoughts are particularly scientific and rational; this gives depth to his character, creating interest for the reader. Science contributes to emphasising his struggling relationship with Clarissa, and his personality clash with Jed. Science used in Joe's private thoughts also shows how his mind works and deals with pressure, contributing to character development. Joe expresses his emotions through science, a flaw in his character, allowing the reader to sympathise and empathise with him. An example of this is when John Logan falls from the balloon to his death, Joe uses scientific language to describe the incident, blocking out his emotional involvement, "I still thought there was a chance that a freak physical law, a furious thermal, some phenomenon no more astonishing that the one we were witnessing would intervene and bear him up". An example of character recognition of this is when
One of the most provocative pieces of Ian McEwan-- Enduring Love.
One of the most provocative pieces of Ian McEwan-- Enduring Love introduces a new kind of re-evaluation and hidden conflicts of society and life, through a deliberate coherent, analytical narration. McEwan cleverly bridges different genres: psychological thriller and tragic love story into a novel of ideas that mirrors the world in a contemporary sense. A reunited couple, a bottle of wine following by a catastrophe begins Joe's report on a tale of chaos. The protagonist, Joe Rose, a scientific writer, and his wife, Clarissa who is a romantic literature professor witness the balloon accident, which causes a doctor's (Mr. Logan) life in the process of saving his grandchild. While Joe, one of the helpers hangs on to the rope, starts suspecting himself as the first one who lets go and causes his death, another helper, Jed Parry who suffers de Clérambault Syndrome comes along and insists praying together will help relieving his guilt. Although Joe refuses, his glances and looks only initiate Jed's obsession. The dreadful disaster recalls heartbreaking memory for the couple that are "unable to bear children." (31) When both of them are trying to bury their sorrow and fix up the loving relationship through love and sex, Jed intrudes their orderly life. First with numerous phone calls and messages, later, love letters and spying across the street, Jed is only anxious but never tired
What do you find interesting in McEwan's portrayal of Jed Parry?
What do you find interesting in McEwan's portrayal of Jed Parry? "Enduring Love" is said to be a book about contradicting the standards of literature, blurring the reader's perceptions of characterisation and narrative trust. Through various shifts in narrator McEwan portrays Jed Parry in various lights to suggest that our perception may not always be trustworthy, and we are often too trusting of the opinions of others. McEwan chooses to tantalise his readers' perceptions of Jed Parry from the outset. In the first chapter we learn only basic details about him, such as the fact that "he was twenty-eight, unemployed, living on an inheritance in Hampstead", a description whose embellishment lies beyond the next ten chapters. However, with comments such as "knowing what I know now, its odd to evoke the figure of Jed Parry ahead of me", it appears that McEwan has erected a literary signpost, provoking the reader to at least consider, if not to make assumptions about, Parry's character. The contradictory description of his physique leads to further curiosity about Jed, as is the intermittent nature of his speech, where Joe notes "what was so exhausting about him was the variety of his emotional states and the speed of their transitions". As a result McEwan lures us through the rest of the novel as, like Joe, our need for an explanation for Parry's curious behaviour deepens.