In terms of Joe and Clarissa’s relationship, it starts by being very strong. This is shown in the very first chapter of the book when Joe and Clarissa share a reunion after she has been away working. Also another incident in the novel that shows the strong connection between Joe and Clarissa is after the tragic balloon accident they feel that the only way they can overcome the sadness is to become closer, and so make love. The fact that they can do this at such a time shows how deeply in love they must be. We are also made aware that Clarissa cannot have children this is significant because it is something they both long for -a child!
However as the novel progresses, we see this relationship diminishing before us. Clarissa feels she cannot trust Joe anymore after he goes through her personal letters. The relationship comes to an end when Joe buys a gun from Johnny B, even though he uses it and saves her and Jed’s life, Clarissa is disgusted and feels she doesn’t know who Joe is anymore.
Towards the end of the novel, when Joe goes to see Jean Logan again, Clarissa goes with him. The readers are left with the hope that these two people who are seemingly meant for each other will get back together. We are left hanging do they get together?- or not?
It is in Appendix one- the scientific conclusion, that the fate of this relationship is made apparent. Joe and Clarissa do get back together and they adopt a child. If we weren’t told what happens to Joe and Clarissa we would not be satisfied with the ending of the novel.
The relationship between Joe and Jed is strange in that it is in the beginning one sided. This is until Joe becomes as obsessed with Jed as he is with Joe. From here things spiral out of control, Jed becomes more and more threatening and Joe starts feeling threatened by Jed. The tension in this relationship keeps building until it reaches its climax, when Jed holds Clarissa at knife point and Joe shoots Jed in the arm. This relationship seems to finish after this incident.
However it is not until you read Appendix to- a letter from Jed that McEwan concludes that in fact Jed is still suffering from de Clerambaults syndrome and is in a mental institute and also still in love with Joe.
Appendix one I feel rounds up the whole novel, but from a different viewpoint, throughout the novel we have constantly seen and head things from Joe’s point of view, with letters from Jed and Clarissa. However appendix one it’s written in the form of a scientifical report on a patient (Jed Parry). From this we get some things rounded up for us. Firstly, we are told in depth about de Clerambaults and Joe and Clarissa’s relationship is resolved.
Appendix two is a letter from Jed, this appendix Is also important because it proves that Jed really is ill, and that he still loves Joe. His love for Joe has endured!
I think that the appendices are very important because not only do they confirm Joe’s suspicions about Jed having de Clerambaults syndrome and give us a full understanding of the illness which is potentially the main theme of the novel, but they also give the title of the novel it’s meaning.
They show that two relationships that we may have thought finished actually endure. Joe and Clarissa get back together and adopt a child, Jed, three years after being admitted to a mental institute still loves Joe.
