Enduring Love free essay sample

This freak-like accident has a certain impact on the story itself, where Jed notices Joe and starts to grow a sort of infatuation towards him. In The English Review, for instance, Jill Swale mentions â€Å" After the event, Jed Parry tries to make sense of it by arguing that it was Gods way of bringing him and Joe together so that he could convert Joe† (15. 3). McEwan uses this sort of obsession occurring as a form of religion to connect the soon to be make believe relationship in Jed’s head. As in the story Joe says to Jed â€Å" ‘You’ll come. ’ I meant it as a suggestion, but it came out as a request, something I needed from him. He looked at me, unable to speak. Everything, every gesture, every word I spoke was being stored away, gathered and piled, fuel for the long winter of his obsession† (McEwan 3025). Joe then finds out that de Clerambault’s syndrome features a belief that the object of obsession has initiated a love affair and is cruelly toying with the subject by sending secret signals of encouragement while denying the shared passion. This is liberates us somewhat as we where getting used to Jed being the victim, but with this chapter it turns the tables and has Parry being the victim. â€Å"You love me. You love me, and there’s nothing I can do but return your love†.Parry declaring his love for Jed and trying to convince him that the love is equal. McEwan still though making Jed a strong willed, intelligent character not allowing him to retaliate. This as readers makes us like Jed more as we congratulate him on his will power not to just leave Parry and carry on with his life, but he humours him instead. The structure of this chapter is very simple as it is just a dialogue between Jed and Parry. But it does give us insight into Jed’s head as he is consciously analysing Parry (without saying it aloud).McEwan creates a lot of tension in this chapter as there are a lot of pauses between Jed saying something and Parry. They both have a lot of thinking time before they communicate with one another. â€Å"I said nothing and waited† â€Å"When he spoke at last†. Creating cliff-hangers and suspense as we are anxious as to what is to unfold. The conversation dips in and out as Jed – being a scientist- is very aware of his surroundings so conversation dives in and out of scenery and dialogue. I think McEwan does this to show that Jed is partially aware of Parry but not fully paying attention so therefore has a clouded judgement.