Joe’s discussions with Clarissa include many references to science. Once again, Joe is the instigator of science entering the novel. Character development is shown through Joe and Clarissa’s conversation about the balloon incident in theatrical terms. This emphasises their different personalities, as Clarissa is more expressive, whilst Joe is rational, a reflection on their professions, “Whereas she wants to lie quietly in a soapy bath and reflect, he wants to set about altering his fate”. Their conversations show how the lack of love affects control, stressing the point that science is an attempt to control everything, and therefore contains no emotion. During these conversations, as a reader you become gradually more aware of Joe’s emotional difficulty, and the consequence this has on his relationship with Clarissa, for instance when he doesn’t inform her regarding Jed’s first phone call. This results to further character development as we see that Joe is genuinely unaware of everything that goes on around him, and the effects he has on people. Joe uses rationalising and scientific language to communicate, additionally highlighting character development. In Joe and Clarissa’s conversations, Joe always uses rhetorical questions in his language style, this could be representing a form of arrogance in Joe, “Do you think it all happened by blind chance? You made it all yourself?” Or possible a low self-esteem present, as it appears he is regretful of his career path, and jealous of Clarissa’s ability to express herself, yet he clearly shows off about his skills through language. Joe uses science in his language to explain evolution; this is an example of his belief that science can be used to describe all aspects of human nature, “Evolution has culled us al into this efficiency”. He rationalises everything, even to justify death and birth, the two most emotional experiences for a human being. In Joe’s argument with Clarissa, it shows the effects of Joe being driven to extreme scientific principles, of no emotional involvement, “He makes a deliberate show of calming himself, of starting again from reasonable premise, of being a reasonable man refusing to be driven to extremes”. The plot is showing Joe is not in control; this is emphasised by the structure of the argument. Ian McEwan chose to write this from a 3rd person perceptive, presenting that Joe is no longer in control of telling us what is going on from his point of view. Whenever Joe and Clarissa talk together, Joe uses scientific theories, the opposite of emotional explanations, emphasising character development and the plot, “The word from the human biologists bears Darwin out; the way we wear our emotions on our faces…” This focuses on the plot, by highlighting Joe’s rationalism to science, “She was aware of me watching her…”
Science is included in the novel in the form of explaining behaviour as well. Science attempts to explain behaviour by using scientific theories. For example Joe uses Darwin’s theory to describe all the people entering the airport, “If one ever wanted proof of Darwin’s contention that the many expressions of emotion in humans are universal, genetically inscribed, then a few minutes by the arrival gate in Heathrow’s terminal four should suffice”. Joe relates everyone to science; he thinks you can categorise everyone and their actions into different theories. This adds to his character development further linked to his private thoughts and discussions with Clarissa, as we know he is well educated and a rational character. It is in Joe’s character to relate everything to science; this is because it’s the only thing he knows, and his dominating passion. For example he blames Jed’s obsessive condition not on unrequited love, but on a medical condition, “He’s obsessed. He simply won’t leave me alone”. He often compares past and present, “It was the nineteenth century culture of the amateur that nourished…” This could be a reflection on his character of being one whom is absorbed in the past, and consequently regretful, an example of this is his regret for his lacking profession. “The trouble with Joe’s precise and careful mind is that it takes no account of its own emotional field”, this emphasises Joes lacking ability to relate emotions to his own behaviour, and has no way of expressing himself. This is structured in third person narrative, so Ian McEwan can increase character development by means of facts, as a substitute for basing them solely on Joe’s opinions. His language is again very scientific and rational creating an atmosphere for the reader and allowing them to see things from his way of thinking.
The purpose of Jed’s letter to Joe is to offend Joe by attacking his passion of science. The letter is very precise and accurate which is a similar style to Joe’s language, “...rang my bell at four yesterday afternoon and I went to meet him at the gate. I gave him five hundred pounds for his week’s work…” Jed also uses a series of rhetorical questions, another style of Joe’s language, “What is it I have to do to make you hear me?” to relate to his thinking. The letter represents that Jed knows Joe better than he knows himself, this shows the immense love and determination Jed has for him. Jed desires to be acquainted with Joe better, he knows the only way to accomplish this is to introduce himself to Joe’s passion of science, to insight into his thoughts and behaviour, “You wrote four years ago for the new scientist about the latest technological aids to biblical scholarship”. It permits Jed to associate things to science allowing Joe to relate to them. Also the purpose of the letter is to distinguish the opposition of science, religion. Religion is Jed’s passion; the letter represents the clash in beliefs of religion and science, and therefore the clash between Jed and Joe, contributing to character development. The letter additionally identifies the lack of emotions from Joe, “It probably never crosses your mind to give thanks for what you have” and “I worry for you Joe. I worry for what your arrogance could bring down on you”, this emphasises Joe and Jeds character development. The letter also identifies the difference in beliefs as Joe requires being in control, and Jed believes God is in control, “A celebration of the glory of God’s universe”, “It all happened by blind chance? You made it all yourself?” This is a contradiction though, as it could be said that Jed is in control over Joe, as he knows how to get to him, and relate to him. The letters adds to the plot by introducing this binary opposition of religion, and shows Jeds ‘undying’ love for Joe.
The appendixes are located at the end of the novel. The appendices are structured in the form of a psychiatric report. The structure divides the report up into separate headings making it appear professional and realistic. We instantly know that they are related to Jed by the description, and words linking to Jed, including religion, obsession and Clerambault’s syndrome “The case of a pure form of de Clerambault’s syndrome is described in a man whose religious convections are central to his delusions”. The report shows how science has affected Jed’s life and mind. It could be seen as a contradiction to Jed’s belief as now science is controlling him, for instance medication, and reports are domineering his condition. The appendices’ purpose might also be to restore the readers faith in Joe, after all the doubt throughout the ordeal. It gives logic to the reader about Jed’s condition and allows them to emphasise with him, and ultimately sympathise with Joe, seeing that he had association with this. The language is very scientific establishing the seriousness of Jed’s illness, and representing professionalism. The language is also very impersonal and lacks emotions, very much like Joe
Science is very significant in emphasising character development, the plot, and allowing the reader to explore different ideas throughout the novel. Science is revealed primarily through Joe, the narrator of the novel. He introduces science in his private thoughts, discussions with Clarissa, and by explaining behaviour. Science is emphasised to being present by the language and content of verbal communication used. Scientific language emphasises the science present as it shows the character is well educated in science and is passionate about it. Using scientific theories also shows Joe to be well educated and thoughtful, and using their scientific knowledge in everyday circumstances. Joe uses scientific language to shield any of his emotions, and effectively describes situations. Scientific language also effectively represents the atmosphere to the reader, allowing empathy. Science is structured into the novel mainly through Joe, this is to emphasise his unique thoughts, and creates juxtaposition between him and other characters, identifying this clearly to the reader. Science is also a structural dramatic devise to distract the reader from knowing Joe’s true thoughts, leaving it up to the readers. Science is, in addition, constructively used to show how it affects the characters lives. It creates friction between Clarissa and Joe, as he cannot express himself emotionally, it creates a divide between Jed and Joe by their different beliefs, and also affects Jed, as he is mentally unstable, which results to medical care.
